Matthew 13:31-32 - The Parable Of The Mustard Seed

³¹ He propos'd another parable to them, which was this; the gospel-state is like a grain of mustard-seed which a man took to sow in his field. ³² 'tis one indeed of the smallest grains: but when it is grown, it is the largest of the pulse kind, and becomes a tree: so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.

³⁰ Again he said, to what shall we compare the state of the gospel? or by what parable shall we represent it? ³¹ it is like a grain of mustard-seed, which when sown in the earth, is less than any other grain that is sown there. ³² but after it is sown, it grows up, and becometh larger than other plants of the pulse kind, and shooteth out its branches so high, that the fowls of the air may lodge under its shadow.

³³ Thus he instructed them by such a variety of parables as were adapted to their capacity. ³⁴ his stile in publick was figurative, but he explain'd every thing to his disciples in private.

¹⁸ Then he said, what does the kingdom of God resemble? to what shall I compare it? ¹⁹ it is like a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took, and sowed in his garden: it grew, and became so large, that the birds of the air built their nests in its boughs.