Mark Chapter 4 Part 6: Mustard Seed, Leaven, and the Storm – Warnings About the Kingdomr 4 – Part 6
Review: The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
- The field represents the world.
- The world contains both wheat (good seed) and tares (evil seed).
- Jesus is the sower of the wheat.
- Satan sows the tares.
- Even within the church there can be both wheat and tares.
Matthew 13 presents seven parables in two sections.
- First section (4 parables)
- The Parable of the Sower
- The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
- The Parable of the Mustard Seed
- The Parable of the Leaven
- Second section (3 parables)
- The Hidden Treasure
- The Pearl of Great Price
- The Dragnet
There is also an eighth parable: the Parable of the Householder.
The key to understanding these parables is found in Mark 4.
[Mark 4:13 NKJV]
13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
[Mark 4:30-32 NKJV]
30 Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?
31 “[It is] like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth;
32 “but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”
[Matthew 13:31-32 NKJV]
31 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field,
32 “which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”
Matthew notes that the plant becomes a tree. Mustard plants normally grow as bushes, not trees.
This suggests an abnormal or unnatural growth.
Many interpret this parable as describing the growth of the Church. However, Jesus also warned that the enemy would infiltrate and corrupt what God has planted.
[Isaiah 66:1 NKJV]
1 Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool.”
Warnings About the Last Days
[Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV]
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction…”
[Luke 18:7-8 NKJV]
8 “…when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
[Matthew 24:4-14 NKJV]
Jesus warns about deception, false prophets, and the increase of lawlessness.
The Birds in the Parable
The birds mentioned in the mustard tree recall the earlier parable of the sower.
[Mark 4:15 NKJV]
15 “…Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.”
In many passages birds symbolize unclean or corrupt influences.
The Parable of the Leaven
[Matthew 13:33 NKJV]
33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
Leaven is often used in Scripture as a symbol of sin, corruption, and pride.
Old Testament words for leaven include massa and chamets. The Greek word used in the New Testament is zume.
Leaven represents a corrupting influence that spreads.
This parable may warn of corrupt influences entering the church.
False Prophets and True Fruit
[Matthew 7:15-20 NKJV]
“You will know them by their fruits.”
[Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV]
Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus Speaks in Parables
[Mark 4:33-34 NKJV]
33 And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.
Jesus Calms the Storm
[Mark 4:35-41 NKJV]
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
During the crossing a violent storm arose. Jesus rebuked the wind and sea saying, “Peace, be still!”
The storm ceased immediately.
The disciples asked:
“Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
The Authority of Christ
The One who created the world has authority over the wind and sea.
He also has authority over the storms in our lives.
[Romans 8:31-39 NKJV]
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Join us next week as we continue our verse-by-verse study through the Gospel of Mark. Let us remain steadfast in faith, walk in love, and share the mercy of Christ — for He calls sinners to repentance and to life.
— Valley Christian Church
Can’t Make it to Church? Join us at 10:30 Live on Youtube