Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

MATTHEW 13:31KJV
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Matthew 13:31 (KJV)

What does Matthew 13:31 mean?

Matthew 13:31 records Jesus telling a parable, comparing the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed that a man plants in his field. The verse introduces the idea that something very small and seemingly insignificant—the mustard seed—can represent the beginning of God’s kingdom in the world.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a crowd, using stories (parables) to help people understand spiritual truths. By choosing the mustard seed, Jesus highlights how the kingdom of heaven may start in a humble or unnoticed way, but the story hints that it will grow beyond expectations. The focus is on the surprising contrast between the smallness of the seed and what it will become.

The Greek behind Matthew 13:31

  • The word for "parable" is παραβολή (parabolē), which means a story set alongside real life to illustrate a deeper point. This signals that Jesus is inviting listeners to look for meaning beyond the surface.
  • The phrase "kingdom of heaven" uses βασιλεία (basileia), meaning a reign or rule, not just a place. This suggests Jesus is talking about God’s active rule, not just a future destination.
  • The word for "grain" is κόκκος (kokkos), meaning a single seed or kernel. This emphasizes the smallness and individuality of what is being planted.
  • The verb "sowed" is σπείρω (speirō), which means to scatter seed for growth. This points to intentional action—the man is purposefully starting something, not just letting it happen by accident.

Why Matthew 13:31 matters

  • This verse helps clear up the idea that God’s work always starts big or obvious; instead, Jesus teaches that God’s kingdom can begin in small, unnoticed ways.
  • By connecting the mustard seed to the kingdom, Jesus prepares listeners for the surprising growth and impact that will come from what seems insignificant at first.
  • This parable fits into a series of stories in Matthew 13, all showing different aspects of how God’s kingdom works, especially how it grows and spreads in unexpected ways.

Where else these words appear

“seed” Greek G4615 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
  • 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:
  • Luke 13:19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

“grain” Greek G2848 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
  • Luke 13:19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
  • John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

“forth” Greek G3908 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
  • Luke 10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
  • Acts 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

“field” Greek G68 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
  • Matthew 27:7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
  • Luke 8:34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.