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This parable of the mustard seed is told in Mark 4:30-32 also in Mt 13:31 and Luke 13:18
Pastor J. Vernon McGee when talking about this passage mentioned that the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are not the same thing. The kingdom of God is the more inclusive term including in it the kingdom of heaven. Much like we would say that a state is a part of the United States. The word kingdom is the transliterated word basileia which means royal power, kingship, dominion, rule, the royal power of Jesus. So, when we think of the word kingdom we are really thinking about the reign and rule of Jesus and his dominion.
Jesus compares this to a mustard seed. The smallest of all seeds. This may be seen in how the church actually started very small with just 12 apostles and in Acts 1:15 only 120 people. Yet, it has spread all over the world. The seed becomes a great tree where birds come and seek its shade. Interestingly, one commentary by Guzik said this about the birds
"It grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches: Some regard this as a beautiful picture of the church growing so large that it provides refuge for all of the world. But this mustard seed plant has grown into a monstrosity, and it harbors birds – who in the parables are emissaries of Satan, according to the foundational parable of the soils (Mark 4:13)."
I had never heard of the birds being compared to emissaries of Satan before. What are your thoughts about this passage?
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Mar/Mar-4.cfm?a=961030
Related verses: Is 9:7, 55:5, 60:5, 60:22.
Pastor J. Vernon McGee when talking about this passage mentioned that the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven are not the same thing. The kingdom of God is the more inclusive term including in it the kingdom of heaven. Much like we would say that a state is a part of the United States. The word kingdom is the transliterated word basileia which means royal power, kingship, dominion, rule, the royal power of Jesus. So, when we think of the word kingdom we are really thinking about the reign and rule of Jesus and his dominion.
Jesus compares this to a mustard seed. The smallest of all seeds. This may be seen in how the church actually started very small with just 12 apostles and in Acts 1:15 only 120 people. Yet, it has spread all over the world. The seed becomes a great tree where birds come and seek its shade. Interestingly, one commentary by Guzik said this about the birds
"It grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches: Some regard this as a beautiful picture of the church growing so large that it provides refuge for all of the world. But this mustard seed plant has grown into a monstrosity, and it harbors birds – who in the parables are emissaries of Satan, according to the foundational parable of the soils (Mark 4:13)."
I had never heard of the birds being compared to emissaries of Satan before. What are your thoughts about this passage?
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Mar/Mar-4.cfm?a=961030
Related verses: Is 9:7, 55:5, 60:5, 60:22.
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