Mark 4:31

Mark 4:31 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:
• New International Version (NIV)It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.
• English Standard Version (ESV)It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth,
• New King James Version (NKJV)It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth;

Context of Mark 4:31

29As soon as the grain is ready, he cuts it with a sickle, because harvest time has come.” 30Jesus asked, “How can we show what God’s kingdom is like? To what can we compare it? It’s like a mustard seed planted in the ground. The mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds on earth. 32However, when planted, it comes up and becomes taller than all the garden plants. It grows such large branches that birds can nest in its shade.” 33Jesus spoke ⌞God’s⌟ word to them using many illustrations like these. In this way people could understand what he taught.

Mark 4:31 word by word

ὡς σινάπεως ὃς ὅταν σπαρῇ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, μικρότερον ὂν πάντων τῶν σπερμάτων τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• likeὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• a grainκόκκοςkokkos · seedG2848
• of mustard seedσίναπιsinapi · mustardG4615
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• whenὅτανhotan · when(-ever)G3752
• it is sownσπείρωspeirō · to sowG4687
• inἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• the earthὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the earthγῆgē · earth: soilG1093
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• less thanμικρόςmikros mikroteros · smallG3398
• allπᾶςpas · allG3956
• the seedsσπέρμαsperma · seed: offspringG4690

Cross-references for Mark 4:31

• Matthew 13:31Jesus used another illustration. He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone planted in a field.
• Luke 13:18Jesus asked, “What is God’s kingdom like? What can I compare it to?
• Genesis 22:17I will certainly bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of their enemies’ cities.
• Psalms 72:16May there be plenty of grain in the land. May it wave ⌞in the breeze⌟ on the mountaintops, its fruit like ⌞the treetops of⌟ Lebanon. May those from the city flourish like the grass on the ground.
• Isaiah 2:2In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s house will be established as the highest of the mountains and raised above the hills. All the nations will stream to it.
• Isaiah 9:7His government and peace will have unlimited growth. He will establish David’s throne and kingdom. He will uphold it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The Lord of Armies is determined to do this!
• Isaiah 49:6Now, the Lord says, “You are not just my servant who restores the tribes of Jacob and brings back those in Israel whom I have preserved. I have also made you a light for the nations so that you would save people all over the world.”
• Isaiah 53:2He grew up in his presence like a young tree, like a root out of dry ground. He had no form or majesty that would make us look at him. He had nothing in his appearance that would make us desire him.
• Isaiah 54:1Sing with joy, you childless women who never gave birth to children. Break into shouts of joy, you women who never had birth pains. “There will be more children of women who have been deserted than there are children of married women,” says the Lord.
• Isaiah 60:22The smallest of them will become a family. The weakest of them will become a mighty nation. At the right time I, the Lord, will make it happen quickly.”
• Ezekiel 17:22“ ‘This is what the Almighty Lord says: I, too, will take hold of the top of a cedar tree. I will break off the highest twig and plant it on a high and lofty mountain.
• Daniel 2:34While you were watching, a stone was cut out, but not by humans. It struck the statue’s iron-and-clay feet and smashed them.
• Amos 9:11On that day I will set up David’s fallen tent. I will repair the holes in it. I will restore its ruined places. I will rebuild them as they were a long time ago.
• Micah 4:1In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s house will be established as the highest of the mountains and raised above the hills. People will stream to it.
• Zechariah 2:11On that day many nations will join the Lord and become my people. I will live among you. Then you will know that the Lord of Armies has sent me to you.
• Zechariah 8:20This is what the Lord of Armies says: People and citizens from many cities are going to come.

Commentaries on Mark 4:31

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 31A grain of mustard seed - See on Matthew 13:31, Matthew 13:32; (note).Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 31See the notes at Matthew 13:31-32.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-34Verses 21-34 These declarations were intended to call the attention of the disciples to the word of Christ. By his thus instructing them, they were made able to instruct others; as candles are lighted, not to be covered, but to be placed on a candlestick, that they may give light to a room. This parable of the good seed, shows the manner in which the kingdom of God makes progress in the world. Let but the word of Christ have the place it ought to have in…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 30-32Jesus contrasts a very small beginning with a large result. The mustard seed was known to be very small, almost the smallest seed people commonly used (see Matthew 17:20).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-341. And he began again to teach by the seaside: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude--or, according to another well-supported reading, "a mighty" or "immense multitude." so that he entered into a ship--rather, "the ship," meaning the one mentioned in Mr 3:9. (See on Mt 12:15). and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land--crowded on the seashore to listen to Him. (See on Mt 13:1, 2.)Read the comment

Topics related to Mark 4:31

• Church
• Gospel
• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Kingdom of Heaven
• Sermon
• Word of God

In the dictionaries

• Alone
• Care
• Cast
• Comparison
• Doctrine
• Mustard
• Games
• Jesus Christ
• Mark, the Gospel According to

Commentaries on Mark 4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings