The Mustard Seed
Parables of JesusMeaning: “The least of seeds”
Small beginnings, vast growth — the kingdom and faith alike.
The tiny seed Jesus used to picture the kingdom of heaven and the power of small faith.
What It Was
Jesus likened the kingdom of heaven to “a grain of mustard seed… which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs” (Matthew 13:31–32). He also told the disciples that faith “as a grain of mustard seed” could move mountains (Matthew 17:20).
Biblical Significance & Symbolism
The mustard seed teaches that God’s kingdom — and living faith — begin small and almost unseen, yet grow beyond all expectation. What matters is not the size of faith but the greatness of the God in whom it rests.
Timeline
Jesus tells the parable of the mustard seed
Scripture References
5 versesMatthew2 verses
Matthew 13:31
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 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.
Mark1 verse
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:
Luke2 verses
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.
Luke 17:6
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
Topics & Symbolism
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Related people
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Frequently asked about The Mustard Seed
What was The Mustard Seed in the Bible?
The tiny seed Jesus used to picture the kingdom of heaven and the power of small faith.
What does The Mustard Seed symbolize?
Small beginnings, vast growth — the kingdom and faith alike.
What does the name The Mustard Seed mean?
The name The Mustard Seed means “The least of seeds”.
Where is The Mustard Seed first mentioned in the Bible?
The Mustard Seed is first mentioned in Matthew 13:31.
How often is The Mustard Seed mentioned in the Bible?
The Mustard Seed is mentioned in 5 verses across 3 books: Matthew, Mark, Luke.
What does the mustard seed represent?
The kingdom of heaven’s small beginnings and great growth (Matthew 13:31–32), and the power of even small faith in a great God (Matthew 17:20).
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