A great tree growing
The traditional understanding combines two distinct references in the gospels to the mustard seed: when Jesus compares it to the Kingdom of God (Mat 13:31), and when he speaks about the faith (Mat 17:20). Speaking about the faith, he doesn’t mention the size of the seed at all. It’s in the context of the Kingdom of God that we hear of the great tree growing from the small seed.
The Allegory of Ezekiel
Jesus’ tree reminds us of other allegorical trees in the Scriptures. We read in Ezekiel, “Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches” (Ez.17:23). Ezekiel speaks of restored Israel; Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven, both having small and humble beginnings. They each portray how God will take something small and make something great from it.
Discover new answers in the Tanach
This is the beautiful example of how knowledge of the Land of Israel and the Tanach, help explain Jesus’ words. The humble plant with yellow flowers will make you wonder about the meaning of Jesus’ words – and you will find the answers when you look at the stories of the Tanach. Enroll in our course Jewish Background of the New Testament and you will learn to ask new questions and to discover new answers.