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Matthew 13: Third kingdom parable: mustard seeds and trees
1. Matthew 13: Third kingdom parable: mustard seeds and trees
2. Matthew 13: Parable time sequence
Jesus speaks
7/8 Kingdom Parables in Matthew 13 and explains/decodes
3 of the
7/8.
1. (explained) sowing of the seed by Jesus
2. (explained) wheat and weeds (tares)
3. mustard seed into a tree (and birds and mountains)
4. woman and leaven
5. treasure in a field
6. merchant and one pearl of great price
7. (explained) harvest from the sea by the angels at the end of the age
8. things new and old from treasure (fits the form of a parable)
Parables 5 and 8 relate to "
treasure".
3. Review: Matthew 13 Pearl of great price parable 6
Matthew 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: [kjv]
13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. [kjv]
Why might a
"great one of the earth", as a business transaction,
"sell" everything, but not himself, to obtain
"one" pearl?
Are not "
many" pearls needed? That is, at least
two pearls, needed?
If everything is sold to buy
one pearl, which pearls are thus
not obtained?
Might the two most important laws identified by Jesus be
two "pearls". Both are needed. What happens if one obtains only
one of these
"pearls"?
4. Review: Matthew 13 Treasure in a field parable 5
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. [kjv]
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [kjv]
| Code words |
| meaning |
spoken |
| righteous |
treasure |
| world |
field |
| Jesus |
man |
One decoding of the parable of the treasure hid in a field appears to be as a statement of John 3:16. Another is that of Boaz, as a type of Christ, finding Ruth, as a type of the bride of Christ, and Naoma as a type of the Holy Spirit, in the book of Ruth.
5. Review: Matthew 13 Scribes and treasure parable 8
Matthew 13:51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. [kjv]
13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. [kjv]
| scribe |
householder |
| instructed |
casts out |
| kingdom of heaven |
new and old treasure |
 |
Whatever Jesus as the "householder" "takes out" of his "treasure" is what he expects a "scribe" to be able to "take out" if he has "learned" (i.e., been "instructed") "into" the "kingdom of heaven".
|
6. Review: Matthew 13 Woman and leaven parable 4
Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. [kjv]
αλλην παραβολην ελαλησεν αυτοις ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων ζυμη ην λαβουσα γυνη ενεκρυψεν εις αλευρου σατα τρια εως ου εζυμωθη ολον [gnt]
Discussion: Is there any possible connection between the following?
☐ woman
☐ headdress
☐ false doctrine (encrypted)
☐ coins (wealth)
|
☐ aspects of Satan
☐ historical context
☐ large church organization
|
The Greek for "
hide" or "
encrypt" is a word similar to the Greek word for "
bake". If "
wheat" is "
baked" before the "
leaven" rises, the "
leaven" (false doctrine) can appear as "
unleavened" (true doctrine).
This fourth parable comes right after the third parable about the mustard seed growing into a tree and the birds.
7. Matthew 13: Third kingdom parable: mustard seeds and trees
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: [kjv]
13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]
The
"mustard seed" :
is not the "smallest" of all "seeds".
is not the "greatest" of all "herbs".
grows into a bush, not a tree.
The
"birds" do
not (usually) nest in small bushes. Are the
"birds" good? What is a
"mustard seed"? What does a
"tree" represent?
8. Matthew 13:31-32 Mustard seeds
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: [kjv]
13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]
The third kingdom parable in Matthew 13 is very short - just two verses. There appears to be a play-on-words used by Jesus from the Greek language point of view.
The Greek word for
"mustard plant" is translated as
"mustard seed" and appears in only two stories (five verses) in the
GNT (Greek New Testament).
Mustard seed parable (3)
Moving the mountain (2)
Jesus often uses
nouns as
code words. English uses
"grain" to avoid using
"seed" twice.
Decrypted text: All seeds are the same size. Trees are empires. Birds are of the evil one.
9. Matthew 13:31
KJV: 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:
Greek: αλλην παραβολην παρεθηκεν αυτοις λεγων ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων κοκκω σιναπεως ον λαβων ανθρωπος εσπειρεν εν τω αγρω αυτου
Latin: aliam parabolam proposuit eis dicens simile est regnum caelorum grano sinapis quod accipiens homo seminavit in agro suo
Wycliffe: Another parable Jhesus puttide forth to hem, and seide, The kyngdom of heuenes is lijk to a corn of seneuey, which a man took, and sewe in his feeld.
Tyndale: Another parable he put forthe vnto the sayinge. The kyngdome of heve is lyke vnto a grayne of mustard seued which a ma taketh and soweth in his felde
10. Matthew 13:32
KJV: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Greek: ο μικροτερον μεν εστιν παντων των σπερματων οταν δε αυξηθη μειζον των λαχανων εστιν και γινεται δενδρον ωστε ελθειν τα πετεινα του ουρανου και κατασκηνουν κατασκηνοιν εν τοις κλαδοις αυτου
Latin: quod minimum quidem est omnibus seminibus cum autem creverit maius est omnibus holeribus et fit arbor ita ut volucres caeli veniant et habitent in ramis eius
Wessex: þaet ys alre saede laest. Soðlice þanne hyt wexað hyt ys alre wyrte maest. & hyt wurð treow. swa þaet heofene fugeles cumað & eardigeð Note: MS. eardiged. þaer on his bogen.
Wycliffe: Which is the leeste of alle seedis, but whanne it hath woxen, it is the moste of alle wortis, and is maad a tre; so that briddis of the eir comen, and dwellen in the bowis therof.
Tyndale: which is ye leest of all seedes. But when it is groune it is the greatest amoge yerbes and it is a tree: so yt the bryddes of the ayer come and bylde in the brauches of it.
Luther: welches das kleinste ist unter allem Samen; wenn es aber erwächst, so ist es das größte unter dem Kohl und wird ein Baum, daß die Vögel unter dem Himmel kommen und wohnen unter seinen Zweigen.
11. Mark 4:31-32 Mustard seed parable
12. Mark 4:31
KJV: 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:
Greek: ως κοκκω σιναπεως ος οταν σπαρη επι της γης μικροτερος μικροτερον ον παντων των σπερματων εστιν των επι της γης
Latin: sicut granum sinapis quod cum seminatum fuerit in terra minus est omnibus seminibus quae sunt in terra
Wessex: Swa swa senepes saed þanne hit beoð on eorðan ge-sawen. hit is alre saede laest þe on eorðan synt.
Wycliffe: As a corne of seneuei, which whanne it is sowun in the erthe, is lesse than alle seedis that ben in the erthe;
Tyndale: It is lyke a grayne of mustard seed which when it is sowe in the erth is the leest of all seedes that be in the erth:
Gothic: swe kaurno sinapis, thatei than saiada ana airtha, minnist allaize fraiwe ist thize ana airthai;
Luther: Gleichwie ein Senfkorn, wenn das gesäet wird aufs Land, so ist's das kleinste unter allen Samen auf Erden.
13. Mark 4:32
KJV: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Greek: και οταν σπαρη αναβαινει και γινεται μειζον παντων των λαχανων μειζων και ποιει κλαδους μεγαλους ωστε δυνασθαι υπο την σκιαν αυτου τα πετεινα του ουρανου κατασκηνουν κατασκηνοιν
14. Luke 13:19 Mustard seed parable
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. [kjv]
ομοια εστιν κοκκω σιναπεως ον λαβων ανθρωπος εβαλεν εις κηπον εαυτου και ηυξησεν και εγενετο εις δενδρον και τα πετεινα του ουρανου κατεσκηνωσεν εν τοις κλαδοις αυτου [gnt]
The book of Luke is written by Luke, the physician, who assisted Paul. Luke, as a doctor, would be good at listening to stories and accounts, asking questions, and inferring what is likely true and what is not as likely to be true. This is what doctors had to do in that day and age. Luke collected his information from others long after the time when those events happened.
Apparently Luke did not get enough detailed and credible accounts of the parable of the mustard seed to provide more detail.
The word
"great" is
not in some Greek manuscripts.
Matthew: "Birds" lodge (build nests) in the tree.
Luke : "Birds" lodge (build nests) in the branches.
Mark: "Birds" lodge under the shadow of the tree.
15. Luke 13:19
KJV: 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.
Greek: ομοια εστιν κοκκω σιναπεως ον λαβων ανθρωπος εβαλεν εις κηπον εαυτου και ηυξησεν και εγενετο εις δενδρον μεγα και τα πετεινα του ουρανου κατεσκηνωσεν εν τοις κλαδοις αυτου
Latin: simile est grano sinapis quod acceptum homo misit in hortum suum et crevit et factum est in arborem magnam et volucres caeli requieverunt in ramis eius
Wessex: hit is gelic sepenes (sic) corne þe se man onfeng & seow on his wertun. & hit weox & warð mycel treow & heofene fugeles resten on his bogen.
Wycliffe: It is lijk to a corn of seneuey, which a man took, and cast in to his yerd; and it wax, and was maad in to a greet tree, and foulis of the eire restiden in the braunchis therof.
Tyndale: It is lyke a grayne of mustard seede which a man toke and sowed in his garden: and it grewe and wexed a greate tree and the foules of the ayer made nestes in the braunches of it.
16. Matthew
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: [kjv]
αλλην παραβολην παρεθηκεν αυτοις λεγων ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων κοκκω σιναπεως ον λαβων ανθρωπος εσπειρεν εν τω αγρω αυτου [gnt]
13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]
ο μικροτερον μεν εστιν παντων των σπερματων οταν δε αυξηθη μειζον των λαχανων εστιν και γινεται δενδρον ωστε ελθειν τα πετεινα του ουρανου και κατασκηνοιν εν τοις κλαδοις αυτου [gnt]
The book of Matthew was written by Matthew, a tax collector, who would have needed to remember exact details and be able to take shorthand to fulfill his duties as a tax collector. Many take Matthew's account as a verbatim transcript of what Jesus actually said.
All three use the same Greek words for
"seed" of
"mustard plant". The
KJV (King James Version) translates this as
"grain" of
"mustard seed".
"least" of all "seeds"
"greatest" of all "herbs"
This phrase, in Greek, appears to be important.
17. Comparisons
Here are the comparisons from the
KJV, where
x is the
"seed" of the
"mustard plant".
Matthew: x is the least of all seeds
Mark: x is less than all the seeds
Luke: no comparison
According to the KJV, Mark makes x less than all the seeds while Matthew makes x the least of all seeds.
Matthew appears to leave open the possibility that other seeds are the same (size) while Mark makes the mustard seed less than all (other) seeds, not less than or equal to all (other) seeds.
This is a situation where going back to the original language can be of use.
18. The Greek
The numerical relational comparison comes down to Matthew and Mark. What does the Greek say?
Greek: Matthew: ο μικροτερον μεν εστιν παντων των σπερματων
Greek: Mark: ος ... μικροτερον ον παντων των σπερματων
At this point, it is unclear as to whether there is a difference. The difference could be in the later translations that built on each other.
 |
Details are left as a future topic.
|
19. Nothing has been found more effective than this
Which sounds better: (they say the same thing)
All the toothpastes were found to have the same effectiveness.
No toothpaste has been found more effective than "Crust".
Consider the following values:
5 5 5 5 5. We can say the following.
All numbers are equal to 5. All x are equal to y.
No number is greater than 5. No x is greater than y.
No number is less than 5. No x is less than y.
All numbers are less than or equal to 5. All y are less than or equal to x.
All numbers are greater or equal to 5. All x are greater than or equal to y.
A common self-deception is to not realize that all the values are at the same level.
20. Latin
The Latin Vulgate terms may be useful here.
Matthew: The Latin word "minumum" ≈ "minumum" (no change from Latin to English).
Mark: The Latin word "minus" ≈ "less" as in the English of "three minus two" as "three less two" minus.
It appears that the later translators were influenced by the Latin translation using different words for the Greek. Perhaps the Greek phrasing (idiom , etc.) leads to each of the two different translations.
The German word
"kleinste" ≈ "smallest, least, minimum" as Luther uses the same word "
kleinste" in both Matthew and Mark. Today, German has other words for those related concepts.
21. Sinapis
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: [kjv]
αλλην παραβολην παρεθηκεν αυτοις λεγων ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων κοκκω σιναπεως ον λαβων ανθρωπος εσπειρεν εν τω αγρω αυτου [gnt]
Sinapis, from the Latin word
"sinapi" ≈ "mustard" is from the ancient Greek word
"σίναπι" ≈ "mustard plant".
Is Jesus talking about
one "mustard seed" or can what Jesus says be generalized to
any "mustard seed"? There may be multiple meanings where all are true.
22. Sinapis
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: [kjv]
αλλην παραβολην παρεθηκεν αυτοις λεγων ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων κοκκω σιναπεως ον λαβων ανθρωπος εσπειρεν εν τω αγρω αυτου [gnt]
The German word "der Senf" ≈ "mustard".
The Middle English word "corne" ≈ "seed, grain" is a generic word.
The Gothic word "kaurno" ≈ "seed, grain" which is related to the English word "corn".
23. Matthew Herbs and treasure
Consider the "
seed" of the "
mustard plant".
Matthew 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]
ο μικροτερον μεν εστιν παντων των σπερματων οταν δε αυξηθη μειζον των λαχανων εστιν και γινεται δενδρον ωστε ελθειν τα πετεινα του ουρανου και κατασκηνοιν εν τοις κλαδοις αυτου [gnt]
The
"mustard plant" is a plant and grows up to 3 feet tall. The "
seeds" are used as a spice but the leaves are nutritious and can be eaten.
"λάχανον" ≈ "leafy vegetable" to be cooked and eaten.
"λαχαίνω" ≈ "dig out" such as a trench.
6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [kjv]
μη θησαυριζετε υμιν θησαυρους επι της γης οπου σης και βρωσις αφανιζει και οπου κλεπται διορυσσουσιν και κλεπτουσιν [gnt]
… thesauros … [v]
… goldhordian … [wes]
The Greek for "
break through" is that of "
digging a canal" or "
digging a tunnel".
24. Matthew 6:19
KJV: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Greek: μη θησαυριζετε υμιν θησαυρους επι της γης οπου σης και βρωσις αφανιζει και οπου κλεπται διορυσσουσιν και κλεπτουσιν
25. Matthew 13:32 Plants and trees
Matthew 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]
ο μικροτερον μεν εστιν παντων των σπερματων οταν δε αυξηθη μειζον των λαχανων εστιν και γινεται δενδρον ωστε ελθειν τα πετεινα του ουρανου και κατασκηνοιν εν τοις κλαδοις αυτου [gnt]
The
"mustard plant" grows into a big
"tree".
Matthew: greatest (among herbs)
Mark: greater (than other herbs)
Luke: no comparison (great in some manuscripts)
In the Bible,
"trees" represent the human infrastructure of empires or organizations.
26. Matthew 13:32 Lodging
Matthew 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]
ο μικροτερον μεν εστιν παντων των σπερματων οταν δε αυξηθη μειζον των λαχανων εστιν και γινεται δενδρον ωστε ελθειν τα πετεινα του ουρανου και κατασκηνοιν εν τοις κλαδοις αυτου [gnt]
The Greek for
"lodge" is that of making a
"tent" and contains the word in the Greek for
"tabernacle" in "
Feast of Tabernacles".
"σκηνή" ≈ "tent, theater stage" and is the source of the English word "scene".
"κατασκήνωσις" ≈ "take up quarters, lodge" and, in the GNT, a "nest".
Jesus does not refer to
"birds" in a good way.
27. Code table comparison
| Codes |
| Parable |
Meaning |
Example |
Example |
Example |
Example |
| encoded |
hidden |
field |
mountain |
mustard
seed |
tree |
| decoded |
clear |
world |
empire |
? |
? |
Example: Parable #3 - mustard seed
Encoded text: "The mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds". Reality: It is not. Does not matter. This is the encoded text.
Encoded text: "It grows into a tree". Reality: It does not. Does not matter. This is the encoded text.
Decoded text: Need to know the code words for "mustard seed" and "tree".
Jesus provides many of the code word meanings, but not all of them. Let us follow the advice of Jesus and "
use our ears".
28. Parables and secret codes explained by Jesus
Jesus often uses
code words so that sayings have more than one meaning.
All the meanings can be true. The encoded (literal) form makes (some) sense and the decoded form makes sense. In general:
Noun words can be code words. Pronouns can be ambiguous.
Verb words are carefully chosen to work in both contexts.
By definition, in the security field, a
code word is a word that needs to be substituted with another word (e.g., using a
code book) to determine the meaning. By definition, in the security field, a
secret code is a code whose meaning is to be obscured to anyone without the code book.
So Jesus, by definition, uses
secret codes. However, these codes appear to provide only authentication information (and warnings about certain heresies) but no special salvation knowledge - which is always is clear text.
29. He that hath ears
Before the "
children playing music in the marketplace":
Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. [kjv]
ο εχων ωτα ακουετω [gnt]
In the middle of the "
kingdom parables":
13:9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. [kjv]
ο εχων ωτα ακουετω [gnt]
Jesus sometimes uses a phrase such as "
he that hath an ear ... hear" . That "
hear" in Greek assumes with "
understanding". Otherwise, some clarification is needed. Jesus appears to use a phrase such as this when there is some deeper meaning that needs to be uncovered - often a play-on-word meaning in Greek. Jesus wants us to "
hear" with our "
ears". The ancient Greek word
"φωνή" ≈ "voice", as in "
phonograph", and comes from
"φως" ≈ "light" and
"νους" ≈ "mind". That is, the "
sound" of a "
voice" is "
light" into the "
mind".
30. Matthew 13:31-32 Ears
31. Strongs - grain
- *G2848 *7 κόκκος (kok'-kos) : apparently a primary word; a kernel of seed:--corn, grain.
- κοκκω *3
- Matthew 13:31 ... of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man ...
- Mark 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown ...
- Luke 13:19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man ...
- κοκκον *3
- Matthew 17:20 ... ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto ...
- Luke 17:6 ... ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this ...
- 1 Corinthians 15:37 ... shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or ...
- κοκκος
- John 12:24 ... I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into ...
32. Isaiah 1:18 red grain
*G2848 *7 κόκκος (kok'-kos) : apparently a primary word; a kernel of seed:--corn, grain.
 |
Words: κοκκον=3 κοκκος κοκκω=3
|
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. [kjv]
και δευτε και διελεγχθωμεν λεγει κυριος και εαν ωσιν αι αμαρτιαι υμων ως φοινικουν ως χιονα λευκανω εαν δε ωσιν ως κοκκινον ως εριον λευκανω [lxx]
"κόκκος" ≈ "grain, seed" and "κόκκινος" ≈ "scarlet, blushing".
The
"seed" (an
insect that looked like a seed) was used to make a
"red" dye.
33. Red grain
The following are similar and related ancient Greek words.
"κόκκος" ≈ "grain, seed" and it could mean a scarlet dye made from the crushed bodies of the kermes bugs sometimes (incorrectly) thought of as a "seed".
"κόκκινος" ≈ "scarlet, blushing, red" from the scarlet dye.
"κόκκῦ" ≈ "cuckoo" as a call of a bird. The "birds" are in the parable "lodging" in the branches of the "tree".
A possible play on words would require a
"bird" and the color
"red". The ruling power in Judea, Rome used both the "
eagle" and the color
"red" as a symbol. This presence would continue for many centuries.
The historical interpretation of this parable is during the time of Rome and Constantine when the church went from a relatively flat organization into a larger hierarchical tree-structured organization.
34. Isaiah 1:18
KJV: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Hebrew: לכו נא ונוכחה יאמר יהוה אם יהיו חטאיכם כשנים כשלג ילבינו אם יאדימו כתולע כצמר יהיו׃
Greek: και δευτε και διελεγχθωμεν λεγει κυριος και εαν ωσιν αι αμαρτιαι υμων ως φοινικουν ως χιονα λευκανω εαν δε ωσιν ως κοκκινον ως εριον λευκανω
35. Strongs - mustard
- *G4615 *5 σίναπι (sin'-ap-ee) : perhaps from sinomai (to hurt, i.e. sting); mustard (the plant):--mustard.
- σιναπεως *5
- Matthew 13:31 ... is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, ...
- Matthew 17:20 ... faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this ...
- Mark 4:31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown ...
- Luke 13:19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, ...
- Luke 17:6 ... faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, ...
36. Usage - mustard
*G4615 *5 σίναπι (sin'-ap-ee) : perhaps from sinomai (to hurt, i.e. sting); mustard (the plant):--mustard.
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Words: σιναπεως=5
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The ancient Greek word
"σίναπι" ≈ "mustard plant". The word for
"mustard plant" appears
5 times in the
GNT and
not in the
LXX (Septuagint) nor, it appears, in other ancient Greek texts. In the
GNT, it is used in exactly the same form each time.
3 times: Mustard seed parable (Matthew, Mark, Luke)
2 times: Faith moving mountains (Matthew, Luke)
It appears that the play on words fits both of these.
37. Greek words
38. 2 Kings 17:20
KJV: And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.
Hebrew: וימאס יהוה בכל זרע ישראל ויענם ויתנם ביד שסים עד אשר השליכם מפניו׃
Greek: και απεωσαντο τον κυριον εν παντι σπερματι ισραηλ και εσαλευσεν αυτους και εδωκεν αυτους εν χειρι διαρπαζοντων αυτους εως ου απερριψεν αυτους απο προσωπου αυτου
Brenton: And the Lord was angry with the whole seed of Israel, and troubled them, and gave them into the hand of them that spoiled them, until he cast them out of his presence.
39. Matthew 13:31 Play on words
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: [kjv]
αλλην παραβολην παρεθηκεν αυτοις λεγων ομοια εστιν η βασιλεια των ουρανων κοκκω σιναπεως ον λαβων ανθρωπος εσπειρεν εν τω αγρω αυτου [gnt]
Using the three Greek words (the last one for an ending) one has the play on words idea of the following. There were no spaces in the Greek.
Greek: κοκκω σιναπεως ον (as written) for "seed of the mustard plant which".
Greek: κοκκυ συν απεωςων (play on words) for "red/bird together dislodging/pushing".
Greek: κοκκυ συν αετως ων (play on words) for "red/bird together eagle which".
Note that any play on word saying need not follow grammar nor spelling rules.
One can pronounce it in such a way that the secondary meaning is known to those who use their "
ears" to "
hear". Sometimes one just wants to add an additional idea to the mind.
I went to a big party. I had a fine time.
I went to a pig party. I had a swine time.
40. Internalize
This play on words with the eagle appears in the first kingdom parable of the sower.
The ancient Greek prefix "συν" ≈ "together".
The ancient Greek word "εντός" ≈ "within, inside" which can be a time period.
The ancient Greek word "ἀετός" ≈ "eagle".
The play on words appears to be "
together with the eagles" as in "
collaborating with Rome". The "
eagle" is a bird of prey and was a symbol of the Roman Empire (and following empires). Had the religious establishment conspired or worked with the Roman government for their own personal benefit (as a bird in the pecking order) and against the best interests of the people and God?
Rome often used the letters
SPQR (Senatus Populusque Romanus) which means "
The Roman Senate and People".
The "
two birds sold (selling themselves) for a farthing" uses the Roman name for the coin and a play on words on the sound made by a bird.
41. Trees and roots
Organizational charts are trees turned upside down with the root at the top and branches at the bottom. In the Bible, trees represent man-made hierarchies such as kingdoms.
The root of the tree is the leader of the organization.
The leaves are those at the bottom of the organization (citizens, slaves, etc.).
Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4 is the
root of the tree which is left when God, for a time, removes him from power.
Herod, who does not have a
root in himself, is a
fox with a
nest near the
tree.
42. Flat to nested tree build
1 Bottom up tree 0
2 Bottom up tree 1
3 Bottom up tree 2
4 Bottom up tree 3
How does a flat structure of people turn into a tree or organizational structure? It often happens in a bottom-up manner.
A distributed flat hierarchy can became a nested tree-like structure.
A tree structure is much like an organizational chart.
43. Flat to nested tree build
1 Bottom up org 0
2 Bottom up org 1
3 Bottom up org 2
4 Bottom up org 3
The temple organization started when the father in low of Moses, Jethro, suggested to Moses that he start using such an organization. By the time of Jesus, this temple organization had been creating problems in oppressing the people. Those oppressed righteous people appear to represent the "
kingdom of heaven".
44. Historical interpretation of church history
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The probability that all three would be ordered together is 1 in 5040*5040*5040 or 1 in 128,024,064,000 ≈ 128 billion.
Some people prefer to just use church history to help remember the order of the churches, parables and beatitudes.
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The horizontal scale is time. The vertical scale is the proportion that history evidences the traits of those verses. The historical interpretation is like a linear combination in mathematics in that what the verses say is more valid in some time periods than other time periods.
The probability that any
7 objects would be ordered at random in a given order is
7! =
7*6*5*4*3*2*1 or
1 in
5040. Note that there were many more possible churches or parables or beatitudes than used by Jesus.
In the historical interpretation, the parable of the mustard seed fits the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine recognizing what became the Catholic Church which went from small persecuted churches to a large tree-structured bureaucracy.
45. Square root of a tree
A square root of a tree may not be obvious. How about a cube root? In the Bible:
Mountains represent empires.
Trees represent the human infrastructure of an empire.
The birds represent people who make nests in the tree.
The root represents the human leader of the tree.
A fox may have to settle for a den near the tree root.
46. Birds and nests in the tree
Are the
"birds" that
"build nests" in the tree a symbol of something good, bad or indifferent?
Those working for the leader are the branches or nodes, and, it appears, are often represented as
"birds" who nest (reside) in the tree.
Jesus did not come to "
reside" or
"build a nest" in the "
law". He came to "
reside" with (and save) sinners.
47. Jesus and the law and Zaccheaus
Jesus and Zaccheaus: (verb). A few verses later is the Palm Sunday entrance of Jesus.
Luke 19:5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. [kjv]
και ως ηλθεν επι τον τοπον αναβλεψας ο ιησους ειπεν προς αυτον ζακχαιε σπευσας καταβηθι σημερον γαρ εν τω οικω σου δει με μειναι [gnt]
19:7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. [kjv]
και ιδοντες παντες διεγογγυζον λεγοντες οτι παρα αμαρτωλω ανδρι εισηλθεν καταλυσαι [gnt]
Jesus and the law and the prophets: (verb). This is near the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [kjv]
μη νομισητε οτι ηλθον καταλυσαι τον νομον η τους προφητας ουκ ηλθον καταλυσαι αλλα πληρωσαι [gnt]
The English is
"fulfill" or
"fill full". The Greek for
"complete" can involve adding or taking away - as in a sculpture where parts of the material are chipped away.
48. Climbing a tree to change
In Luke 19, Zacchaeus, who was young and not necessarily short, climbs a tree. Jesus calls him down and Zacchaeus has his life changed - all for the climbing of a tree.
This is an early documented instance of "
climb-it change". And, indeed, the climate has changed for anyone listening to the call of Jesus - no matter how high they think they have climbed the ladder of (worldly) success. Are you climbing the right ladder? Do not be wrong later ("
rung ladder").
49. Climbing a tree to change
How can one get climate change?
Try mountaineering. But you should approach it with the proper altitude.
50. Review: Matthew 13 Mustard seed parable #3
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: [kjv]
13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]
The
"mustard seed" :
is not the "smallest" of all "seeds".
is not the "greatest" of all "herbs".
grows into a bush, not a tree.
The
"birds" do
not (usually) nest in small bushes. Are the
"birds" good? What is a
"mustard seed"? What does a
"tree" represent? The word for
"air" or
"sky" or
"heaven" can be a play on words for "
tail" of the "
mind".
51. Matthew 13:31-32: Mustard seed connection
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: [kjv]
13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. [kjv]
In the 4th century, the "
meek" small Christian churches started to "
inherit" worldly power and grew into a huge
"tree" such that
"birds" started to
"lodge" in the "
branches".
The Greek word for
"mustard plant", with play-on-word meanings with Rome, appears in only
two stories (
five verses) in the
GNT and connects with the idea of "
moving this mountain".
52. Matthew Mustard seeds and moving mountains
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. [kjv]
21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. [kjv]
The word
"mustard seed" , in growing into a "
tree", connects with
"this" "mountain". How much
"faith" is needed? Is moving
"this" "mountain" a good idea?
Moving
"this" "mountain" changes the location. Moving it into the
"sea" destroys/dissolves it.
Are we supposed to be moving mountains? Should we be telling it on the mountain?
53. End of page
