Mark 4:30-34

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.”

³³ And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it.

³⁴ But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

Also found in Matthew 13:31-32; 34-35.

For more analysis (of both the wrong and right interpretations) of this parable, see my comments Matthew 13:31-32.

seeds (v.31) — In Greek, this has the definite article “the” before it, which means that the Lord was talking about specific seeds — those planted in a garden, as distinguished from wild seeds.

In the Middle East, mustard plants are known to grow at least 12-feet tall.

hear (v.33) = understand

He did not speak to them (v.34) — Tense indicates habitual action —He was not in the habit of speaking to them without parables.

explain (v.34) = lit. “give additional loosening,” make plainer and clearer. He was giving His disciples fresh revelation about the Kingdom of God.

His disciples (v.34) — The “His” refers to one’s personal, unique, private possessions — the Twelve, not the full group of disciples who often heard Him speak.