Mark 4:30-34

New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

^30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? ^31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. ^32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

^33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.^34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.