New Testament: The Mustard Seed - Essay Example

Religion and Theology The Mustard Seed (New Testament Similarities and Differences between Mark 4:30-32 and Matthew 13:31-32Definitely, both readings have a similar concept and perception of the kingdom of heaven; they are all parables of the mustard seed. In the parables, the mustard seed is the core aspect as it is the origin of all other factors; reflectively, if it were not for the planting of the mustard seed, the shrub and the tree would not have come to existence; and hence the birds from the parable would lack a place to dwell and make their nests. These are the major similarities in both readings; however, there are some differences too that one might not identify if they are not keen enough. There is a primary contrast between the insignificant beginnings and mighty achievement of the story line of the parables and the overall idea of growth. All the same, in both instances, the seed grows into a plant and then a tree and so there are no arguments concerning these factors. Nonetheless, the details of branches in which the birds make their nests require ample attention and elaboration for both situations. In Matthew, the mustard seed ‘becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches’ (Matt.13. 31-32), and according to Mark, the tree from the seed ‘puts forth large branches so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade’ (Mark, 4. 30-32). Firstly, in Matthew, the birds make the nests on its branches hence they are a part of the tree (kingdom of heaven) symbolizing that God makes the kingdom of heaven for His children and nothing less. However, as for Mark, the birds nest is in the shades of the large branches of tree; in this situation, the statement is inductive and requires reading from other parts about the same for one to understand. Secondly, in the book of Matthew, the tree having big branches comes after the birds make their nests, but for Mark it is vice versa and the perception got from the third verse is that the large branches are patent for the purpose of the birds nesting. Additionally, the book of Matthew insists that man is the one who takes the small seed sowing it in his field; however, In Mark, the sowing part of the mustard seed is not clear but general hence bringing out the question of its utter significance. Resolutely, the overall depiction of both readings is similar in most aspects but call for openness and patience. 2. Similarities and Differences between Mark 4:30-32 and Luke 13:18-19 Unquestionably, both readings base on the same concept of planting the mustard seed that grows and becomes a tree upon which birds of the air nest; hence making it one of the core principles in the two. Nonetheless, there are differences that one will easily identify after reading the different chapters in both books; the differences basis is on the mustard seed, sowing, growth and the nesting. In the book of Mark, the mustard seed is the smallest and grows to be among the greatest shrubs; however, in Luke, the mustard seed’s size does not appear and there are fewer details about the growth as compared to Mark. In the first chapter of Luke, the man sows his seed in a garden (not upon the ground) and the seed grew directly to a tree (not shrubs); moreover, the nesting of the birds takes place on the branches unlike in Mark where it happens on the tree’s shade (Luke.13. 18-19). 3. Similarities and Differences between Matthew 13:31-32 and Luke 13; 18-19 In Matthew and Luke, both readings put the building of the nests before the branches as the core similarity prior to all the other facets concerning the development of the mustard seed, purpose of the tree and its branches. Core differences entail the size of the mustard seed where the book of Matthew clearly expresses that the seed was the smallest but grew to be the greatest of all shrubs; however, in Luke, it is just a ‘mustard seed’ no specifications on the size or the following result just general information. In the characteristics of the seeds growth and development, the chapter in Matthew talks about the process going from seed to shrub and then finally a tree (branches are mentioned after); nonetheless, in Luke, the process of the seed growing into a shrub is overlooked and only talks of it growing into a tree. 4. Comparison of the Gospel of Thomas 20:1-2, Mark 4:30-32, Matthew 13: 31-32 and Luke 13:18-19 In the book of Thomas, Jesus’ answer to the disciple about the monarchy of heaven is to a certain extent different from that of Mark, Matthew and Luke; however, similarities are more than the inclusive differences. The book of Thomas also talks about the mustard seed, smallest of all, growing to be the biggest and becoming a shelter for the birds; however, unlike the rest of the books, in this situation, the seed falls into tilled soil but there is no information on its source. The seed, after falling, does not ‘grow into a tree or shrub and then tree’ like in the rest of the books, but it produces a ‘plant’; additionally, this plant becomes a shelter for the birds of the sky, and there is no mention of nests, a tree or branches in this situation. 5. Relationships of the Four Versions of the Parable of the Mustard Seed Definitely, there are relationships between the different versions of the parable as portrayed by the wording and controversies in the meanings from the four books; however, they are all on the same ‘path’. The version of Thomas is most probably the original version of the parable due to its generalization in almost every aspect of the parable; matter of fact, the only thing specified is the size of the mustard seed. The parables in Mark, Luke and Matthew are the improved versions of that which is in Thomas as depicted by the multiple details included in them. However, Mark and Luke are almost similar since there are multiple similarities in aspects of size of the mustard seed, its development and purpose. 6. Meaning of the Parables in Each Version In Matthew 13: 31-32, the grain of mustard seed is a symbol for the gospel of Christ through his disciples and the field represents the world that people live in. The overall growth of the seed from the smallest to the greatest shrub signifies the size and depth in which the word of God spreads in the future. The tree that acts as shelter for the birds symbolizes the power of the kingdom of God in the essence that, together with His gospel nothing defeats those who used the kingdom as a roof over their heads Similarly, for Mark 4: 30-32, the mustard seed signifies the gospel, field- the world, growth- depth strength of the gospel, tree- power of the kingdom of heaven, and the birds signify those people that are yet to seek the kingdom. However, the book of Mark is clear on the size of the seed (‘smallest of all the seeds on earth) which signifies the small, unanticipated dawn of the sovereignty of God presented in Christianity; moreover, the greatness of the seed’s growth is a representation of the vision of God’s kingdom. In the gospel of Luke, the grain of mustard seed represents the gospel; the man signifies God, and the garden is a symbol of the world that we live in. However, when it comes to the growth of the tree, this book emphasizes more on the seed becoming a tree and the bird nesting on it; typically, this is an imagery of the tree’s abundance and the positive reference to a kingdom that God Himself plants and tenders to eternity. According to the book of Thomas 20: 1-2 contexts, the representation and symbolism is similar that of the rest of the books as the mustard seed is the gospel, tilled soil is the hearts of the people in God’s world, great plant is the gospel. Nonetheless, this version persists on the shelter and the branches, which is a description of God’s sovereignty over the kingdom of men; additionally, the general context is an assertion that displays the presence of the kingdom of God as the small and seemingly insignificant ministry of Jesus to the nothings of the society. Read More