Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 4:31
[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:
31. a grain of mustard seed ] The growth of a worldly kingdom had been already set forth under the image of a tree, and that of the kingdom of God also had been similarly compared. (See Dan 4:10-12; Eze 17:22; Eze 17:24; Eze 31:3-9.)
in the earth ] In St Mat 13:31 a man is represented as taking and sowing it “ in his field,” while St Luke, Luk 13:19, says “ in his garden.”
less than all the seeds ] “Small as a grain of mustard seed” was a proverbial expression among the Jews for something exceedingly minute. The mustard-seed is not the least of all seeds in the world, but of all which the husbandman was accustomed to sow, and the “tree,” when full grown, was larger than the other herbs in his garden.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
See the notes at Mat 13:31-32.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 31. A grain of mustard seed] See on Mt 13:31; Mt 13:32.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
It is like a grain of mustard seed,…. That is, the kingdom of God spoken of in the preceding verse, is like unto a grain of mustard seed; by which is meant, either the Gospel, or the Gospel church state, or the grace of God in the hearts of his people, and it may include them all: the Gospel is so called, because it treats of the two latter; but more especially, because it brings life and immortality to light, or points to the kingdom of heaven, directs the way unto it, and shows what qualifies persons for it, and gives them a claim unto it: and the Gospel church state may be so called, because here Christ dwells, and rules as king; the members of it are his subjects, and the ordinances of it are his laws, to which they are obedient: and the grace of God in the hearts of his people may be so called, because it is a governing principle in them; it reigns through righteousness unto eternal life, and by it Christ reigns in and over them: now the kingdom of God in each of these senses, may be compared to a grain of mustard seed, for the smallness of it, as follows;
which when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth. The Gospel was first preached by very few persons, and these of no figure and account, especially at their first setting out. John the Baptist came preaching the kingdom of God, clothed with a garment of camel’s hair, and with a leathern girdle about his loins; our Lord himself made no pompous appearance, there was no form nor comeliness in him; he was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with griefs, and of a mean descent and occupation; his disciples were fishermen, and illiterate persons; those to whom it was preached, and by whom it was received at first were but few, and these were the poor and the unlearned, and publicans and sinners. The Gospel church state at first, consisted of very few persons, of Christ and his twelve apostles; and at his death, the number of the disciples at Jerusalem, men and women, were but an hundred and twenty; the several Gospel churches formed in the Gentile world, rose from small beginnings; from the conversion of a very few persons, and these the filth of the world, and the offscouring of all things. The grace of God in the hearts of his people at first, is very little; it can scarcely be discerned by themselves, and is ready to be despised by others; their light and knowledge, their faith and experience being so exceeding small.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
When it is sown ( ). Second aorist passive subjunctive of . Alone in Mark and repeated in verse 32.
Less than all the seeds ( ). Comparative adjective with the ablative case after it. Hyperbole, of course, but clearly meaning that from a very small seed a large plant grows, the gradual pervasive expansive power of the kingdom of God.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
When it is sown [ ] . This phrase is repeated in verse 32. Here the emphasis is on otan, when. It is small at the time when it is sown. In verse 32 the emphasis is on sparh, it is sown. It begins to grow great from the time when it is sown.
That are upon the earth. A little detail peculiar to Mark.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “It is like a grain of mustard seed,” (hos kokko sinapeos) “It is similartoa mustard seed;-The idea is that the church, or kingdom of heaven, is simple in its organizational structure, small minute in comparison with world order of complex Government organizations.
2) “Which, when it is sown in the earth,” (hos hotan spare epi tes ges) “Which, when it has been sown upon the ground,” or planted in the earth, the soil. Tho the mustard seed is the most minute in size of all tree-plant life, yet it has a special place, and is self perpetuating in nature. So is the “Kingdom of Heaven,” or church, executive of the kingdom of God on earth today, Luk 11:20.
3) “Is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:(mikroteron on panton ton spermaton ton epi tes ges) “It is smaller (more microscopic-like in size) than all the (other), or any of the other seeds on the earth:- and so is the Kingdom of God, smaller and simpler, in its organizational structure(more specifically)as used by Matthew some 30 times “Kingdom of Heaven,” which always refers to the New Covenant church that Jesus established, which He called, and to which He committed the broadcasting of the Word, Joh 15:16; Joh 15:27; Joh 20:31; Mar 16:15; Act 1:8.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(31-32) It is like a grain of mustard seed.See Notes on Mat. 13:31-32. Slight variations in this report are (1) the great branches, and (2) the birds lodging under the shadow of the tree.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
31 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:
Ver. 31. See Trapp on “ Mat 13:31 “ See Trapp on “ Mat 13:32 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
31. ] The repetition of expressions verbatim in discourses is peculiar to Mark: so here, and . ch. Mar 3:24-26 : and see a very solemn instance, ch. Mar 9:44-48 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mar 4:31 . : stands for = let us liken it to a grain, etc.; would depend on . : the construction of this passage as given in critical texts is very halting, offering a very tempting opportunity for emendation to the scribes who in the T. R. have given us a very smooth readable text ( vide A. V [30] ). Literally it runs thus: “which when it is sown upon the earth, being the least of all the seeds upon the earth. and when it is sown,” etc. The R. V [31] improves this rugged sentence somewhat by substituting “yet” for “and” in last clause. It is hardly worth while attempting to construe the passage. Enough that we see what is meant. In the twice used , the emphasis in the first instance lies on , in the second on (Bengel, Meyer). By attending to this we get the sense: which being the least of all seeds when it is sown or at the time of sowing, yet when it is sown , after sowing, springs up, etc. is neuter by attraction of , though going before is masculine.
[30] Authorised Version.
[31] Revised Version.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
in upon. Greek. epi. App-104.
that be in the earth. Divine supplement here.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
31.] The repetition of expressions verbatim in discourses is peculiar to Mark: so here, and . ch. Mar 3:24-26 : and see a very solemn instance, ch. Mar 9:44-48.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mar 4:31. , as a grain) viz. let us compare [Mar 4:30] it.[40]-) less.
[40] BD read , and so Tischend. But AC Vulg. bc, and so Lachm.-ED.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
like: Mat 13:31-33, Luk 13:18, Luk 13:19
mustard seed: Mustard, [Strong’s G4615], is a well-known plant of the tetradynamia siliquosa class, distinguished by its yellow cruciform flowers, with expanding calyx, and its pods smooth, square, and close to the stem. Its seed was probably the smallest known to the Jews; and though its ordinary height does not exceed four feet, yet a species grows to the height of from three to five cubits, with a tapering, ligneous stalk, and spreading branches.
is less than: Gen 22:17, Gen 22:18, Psa 72:16-19, Isa 2:2, Isa 2:3, Isa 9:7, Isa 49:6, Isa 49:7, Isa 53:2, Isa 53:12, Isa 54:1-3, Isa 60:22, Eze 17:22-24, Dan 2:34, Dan 2:35, Dan 2:44, Dan 2:45, Amo 9:11-15, Mic 4:1, Mic 4:2, Zec 2:11, Zec 8:20-23, Zec 12:8, Zec 14:6-9, Mal 1:11, Act 2:41, Act 4:4, Act 5:14, Act 19:20, Act 21:20, Rev 11:15, Rev 20:1-6
Reciprocal: Jon 1:16 – feared Mat 17:20 – a grain Mar 4:28 – first
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1
According to historical information the mustard seed that was produced in Palestine was the smallest of all those that grew in that country.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mar 4:31. In the earth. Mark is fond of repeating the same expressions; an evidence that his Gospel is not an abridgment.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 31
Is less, &c.; that is, it is very small.