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

29And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” 30Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, 32but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.” 33Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand.

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 13:31Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.
• Luke 13:18Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it?
• Genesis 22:17I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies.
• Psalms 72:16May there be abundant grain throughout the land, flourishing even on the hilltops. May the fruit trees flourish like the trees of Lebanon, and may the people thrive like grass in a field.
• Isaiah 2:2In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all— the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
• Isaiah 9:7His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
• Isaiah 49:6He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
• Isaiah 53:2My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.
• Isaiah 54:1“Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor. For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband,” says the Lord.
• Isaiah 60:22The smallest family will become a thousand people, and the tiniest group will become a mighty nation. At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.”
• Ezekiel 17:22“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take a branch from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain.
• Daniel 2:34As you watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits.
• Amos 9:11“In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory.
• Micah 4:1In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all— the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship.
• Zechariah 2:11Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you.
• Zechariah 8:20“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: People from nations and cities around the world will travel to Jerusalem.

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