What is the mustard seed?

[Invisibilis]

Matthew 17:20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Matthew 13:31-32 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches."

What is the mustard seed, and why?

 

[Enoch111]

What is the mustard seed, and why?

As noted above, it is the smallest of all seeds. As a metaphor applied to faith, the Lord taught that it is not the quantity of faith but the quality of faith that causes the hand of God to move and bring about what is impossible.

As applied to the Kingdom of Heaven, it shows that even though there were only eleven apostles who remained after the ascension of Christ (followed by Paul) the Gospel spread throughout the world (particularly the Roman empire) and within a short period all of Europe and Eurasia (including Russia) were converted to Christianity.

 

[Invisibilis]

As noted above, it is the smallest of all seeds. As a metaphor applied to faith, the Lord taught that it is not the quantity of faith but the quality of faith that causes the hand of God to move and bring about what is impossible.

As applied to the Kingdom of Heaven, it shows that even though there were only eleven apostles who remained after the ascension of Christ (followed by Paul) the Gospel spread throughout the world (particularly the Roman empire) and within a short period all of Europe and Eurasia (including Russia) were converted to Christianity.

So what is the quality of faith which makes the difference between 'so little faith' and 'faith as small as a mustard seed'.

"Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed,

 

[Giuliano]

It is something some call a "divine spark." Though tiny, its nature is such that it can attract non-life to it and make it living the way a plant converts "dead" matter into life.

Though small, it has the potential to grow tremendously. In Genesis, this is shown another way when the children of Abraham are compared to both sand and stars.

Genesis 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Putting it another way, that tiny spark or grain of sand can become a star.

Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

 

[John Caldwell]

Perhaps Jesus spoke allegorically.

The mustard seed is, of course, not the smallest of seeds in the world or even among the seeds known to Jesus' audience. But it was a common seed and a good illustration to carry the teaching.

 

[Willie T]

Perhaps Jesus spoke allegorically.

The mustard seed is, of course, not the smallest of seeds in the world or even among the seeds known to Jesus' audience. But it was a common seed and a good illustration to carry the teaching.

It is good to see that some people "think", and don't just blindly parrot, "The Bible said it, I believe it, and that settles it."

There is an orchid whose seed is only about 1/35,000,000th of an ounce.

 

[Nancy]

Perhaps Jesus spoke allegorically.

The mustard seed is, of course, not the smallest of seeds in the world or even among the seeds known to Jesus' audience. But it was a common seed and a good illustration to carry the teaching.

Maybe it had to do also with how large the mustard plant is, in contrast?

 

[Willie T]

Maybe it had to do also with how large the mustard plant is, in contrast?

The mustard plant only grows to 8 or 10 feet. Their common olive tree often grew to 20 feet. Both were included in what they called "gardens" in Israel. This was only an illustrative analogy.

 

[Invisibilis]

It is something some call a "divine spark." Though tiny, its nature is such that it can attract non-life to it and make it living the way a plant converts "dead" matter into life.

Though small, it has the potential to grow tremendously. In Genesis, this is shown another way when the children of Abraham are compared to both sand and stars.

Genesis 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Putting it another way, that tiny spark or grain of sand can become a star.

Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Thank you Giuliano. Inspiring.

What is that divine spark?

 

[Invisibilis]

Perhaps Jesus spoke allegorically.

The mustard seed is, of course, not the smallest of seeds in the world or even among the seeds known to Jesus' audience. But it was a common seed and a good illustration to carry the teaching.

What is the seed?

 

[John Caldwell]

What is the seed?

In the allegory the seed illustrates quantity.

 

[Invisibilis]

Maybe it had to do also with how large the mustard plant is, in contrast?

What is it that grows?

 

[Invisibilis]

In the allegory the seed illustrates quantity.

Quantity of what?
The allegory you refer to is that of the tree. Why would it be necessary for the seed to grow into a tree so the birds can come and perch on it's branches?

 

[Willie T]

Quantity of what?
The allegory you refer to is that of the tree. Why would it be necessary for the seed to grow into a tree so the birds can come and perch on it's branches?

???????????????????? Are you just TRYING to be obtuse?

 

[Nancy]

What is it that grows?

Was only stating a contrast between a very small seed and it growing to be large. I liken that to adding to our faith so as to grow in the knowledge of God.

 

[John Caldwell]

Quantity of what?
The allegory you refer to is that of the tree. Why would it be necessary for the seed to grow into a tree so the birds can come and perch on it's branches?

I am not sure of your question. Quantity of faith (the allegory to which I am referring is of a measurement of faith, illustrating that the audiences lack of faith).

And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

This is not speaking about growing faith, trees, or anything. But I do like peach trees (because I like peaches), if that helps.

 

[Giuliano]

Thank you Giuliano. Inspiring.

What is that divine spark?

Some say -- and I believe -- it is a "chip off the block" -- a tiny stone carved out of the throne of God. It is indeed part of God, given to us so we can be like Him.

If it "forgot" what it is, we could say it's like salt that lost its savor. If we think of it as sleeping in its forgetfulness, the sleeper must be wakened.

 

[Invisibilis]

...But I do like peach trees (because I like peaches), if that helps.

So you like good fruit (peaches). What seed produces good fruit?

 

[Invisibilis]

...If it "forgot" what it is, we could say it's like salt that lost its savor. If we think of it as sleeping in its forgetfulness, the sleeper must be wakened.

What is the mustard seed?

 

[John Caldwell]

So you like good fruit (peaches). What seed produces good fruit?

Peach seeds (they are inside peach pits). Lima bean seeds produce bad fruit.