Devine Scripture

Mark 4:32

What does Mark 4:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 4:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 4:32 means

Despite its minuscule beginning, the mustard seed, once sown, grows into the largest of all garden herbs, producing great branches. This transformation provides shelter for birds. This illustrates the astonishing, expansive growth of the Kingdom of God from its humble origins (Jesus' ministry) into a widespread, influential entity that offers refuge and blessing to many. Its eventual greatness far exceeds its seemingly insignificant start.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But when it is planted, it comes up, and becomes taller than all the plants, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of heaven are able to take rest in its shade.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and whenever it may be sown, it cometh up, and doth become greater than any of the herbs, and doth make great branches, so that under its shade the fowls of the heaven are able to rest.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches, so that the birds of the air may dwell under the shadow thereof.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and when it has been sown, mounts up and becomes greater than all herbs, and produces great branches, so that the birds of heaven can roost under its shadow.

Context

This verse completes the Parable of the Mustard Seed, describing the remarkable growth from the smallest seed to a large plant. It directly follows the description of the mustard seed's tiny size, providing the dramatic contrast that is the parable's central point. This imagery of expansive flourishing and providing shelter serves to convey the powerful and inclusive nature of the Kingdom of God, despite its humble beginnings.

v.31It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth,

v.32This passage

v.33And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 80:9

    Thou preparedst room before it, And it took deep root, and filled the land.

  • Psalms 91:1

    He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

  • Proverbs 4:18

    But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

  • Daniel 4:20

    The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth;

  • Lamentations 4:20

    The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of Jehovah, was taken in their pits; Of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the nations.

  • Daniel 4:10

    Thus were the visions of my head upon my bed: I saw, and, behold, a tree in the midst of the earth; and the height thereof was great.

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