King James Version

What Does Luke 13:19 Mean?

Luke 13:19 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Luke chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Luke 13:19 · KJV


Context

17

And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

18

Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

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.

20

And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

21

It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The mustard seed parable (one of Jesus' shortest) carries profound significance. The "grain of mustard seed" (κόκκῳ σινάπεως, kokkō sinapeōs) was proverbially the smallest seed known in Palestine (Matthew 13:32, "the least of all seeds"), yet it grew into a large plant—some varieties reaching 10-12 feet tall, resembling a tree.

The phrase "cast into his garden" (ἔβαλεν εἰς κῆπον ἑαυτοῦ, ebalen eis kēpon heautou) emphasizes intentional planting—God deliberately sows the kingdom. The growth progression—"it grew, and waxed a great tree" (ηὔξησεν καὶ ἐγένετο εἰς δένδρον μέγα, ēuxēsen kai egeneto eis dendron mega)—indicates organic, inevitable expansion from small beginnings to unexpected greatness. This describes the kingdom's advance: beginning with Jesus and twelve disciples, eventually filling the earth.

The image of "fowls of the air lodged in the branches" (τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατεσκήνωσεν ἐν τοῖς κλάδοις αὐτοῦ, ta peteina tou ouranou kateskēnōsen en tois kladois autou) alludes to Old Testament prophecies where great kingdoms are depicted as trees sheltering nations (Ezekiel 17:23, 31:6, Daniel 4:12, 21). The kingdom of God, though beginning insignificantly, will ultimately provide refuge and blessing to peoples from all nations—fulfilling the Abrahamic promise that all families of earth would be blessed through his seed (Genesis 12:3, 22:18).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus spoke this parable during His Galilean ministry when the kingdom's manifestation seemed modest—an itinerant rabbi with a small band of disciples, opposed by religious authorities. The parable encouraged disciples not to despair at small beginnings. History vindicated Jesus' prediction: from a tiny movement in a backwater province of the Roman Empire, Christianity spread throughout the known world within three centuries. The "birds" finding shelter may represent Gentile nations finding refuge in the gospel—a shocking inclusion that scandalized first-century Jewish expectations of an ethnically exclusive kingdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the mustard seed parable encourage believers engaged in seemingly insignificant kingdom work?
  2. What does the image of birds from all nations lodging in the tree teach about the gospel's universal scope?
  3. How should this parable affect Christian attitudes toward small churches, modest ministries, or slow growth?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
ὁμοία1 of 28

like

G3664

similar (in appearance or character)

ἐστὶν2 of 28

It is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

κόκκῳ3 of 28

a grain

G2848

a kernel of seed

σινάπεως4 of 28

of mustard seed

G4615

mustard (the plant)

ὃν5 of 28

which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

λαβὼν6 of 28

took

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

ἄνθρωπος7 of 28

a man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἔβαλεν8 of 28

and cast

G906

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

εἰς9 of 28

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

κῆπον10 of 28

garden

G2779

a garden

ἑαυτοῦ11 of 28

his

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

καὶ12 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ηὔξησεν13 of 28

it grew

G837

to grow ("wax"), i.e., enlarge (literal or figurative, active or passive)

καὶ14 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐγένετο15 of 28

waxed

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

εἰς16 of 28

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

δένδρον17 of 28

tree

G1186

a tree

μέγα,18 of 28

a great

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

καὶ19 of 28

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰ20 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πετεινὰ21 of 28

the fowls

G4071

a flying animal, i.e., bird

τοῦ22 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐρανοῦ23 of 28

of the air

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

κατεσκήνωσεν24 of 28

lodged

G2681

to camp down, i.e., haunt; figuratively, to remain

ἐν25 of 28

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τοῖς26 of 28
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κλάδοις27 of 28

the branches

G2798

a twig or bough (as if broken off)

αὐτοῦ28 of 28

of it

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 13:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 13:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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