Keraia
Mark 4

Mark 4:33

The Parable of the Mustard Seed · Mark 4:30–34
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Translations

Modern
With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand.
Traditional
And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.
Literal
And with many such parables He was speaking the word to them, as they were able to hear.
Latin
Et talibus multis parabolis loquebatur eis verbum, prout poterant audire:

Original

Greek
English
With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand.

Notes

Mark 4:33–34

  • Mark’s summary of this section shows that 4:3–32 is a collection of parables. It is not a record of what Jesus taught on one specific day in the order in which he taught it.

  • Jesus privately explained the parables to the disciples. This shows that they were not outsiders, even though they sometimes did not understand (compare 4:13).

Mark 4:26–34

Mark now gives additional seed parables (see 4:3–20). They all focus on "the mystery of the kingdom of God" (4:11). The parables of the seed growing secretly (4:26–29) and the mustard seed (4:30–32) show different stages of seed growth.

The kingdom of God is hidden (4:21). But growth is certain (4:26–29). The outcome will be great (4:32).

Mark 4:1–34

In this section, Mark gathers several teaching parables of Jesus. A parable is a short story that teaches a spiritual truth.

Theme notes and profiles

The Secret of the Messiah

Events

Parallels

Matthew 13:31–32 Luke 13:18–19

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Mark, Gospel of

Topics

Gospel: Compared to a Mustard Seed Jesus, the Christ: Parable of the Tares and Other Teachings (In Galilee) Neophytes: General Scriptures Concerning Sermon: Beside Lake Galilee