Mark 4:32

Verse

But after it is planted, it grows to be the largest of all garden plants and puts forth great branches, so that the birds of the air nest in its shade.”

American Standard Version (1901)

yet when it is sown, groweth up, and becometh greater than all the herbs, and putteth out great branches; so that the birds of the heaven can lodge under the shadow thereof.

Bible in Basic English

But when it is planted, it comes up, and becomes taller than all the plants, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of heaven are able to take rest in its shade.

Free Bible Version

But when it's sown it grows into a plant that's larger than other plants. It has branches big enough that birds can roost in its shade.”

Geneva Bible 1599

But after that it is sowen, it groweth vp, and is greatest of all herbes, and beareth great branches, so that the foules of heauen may builde vnder the shadow of it.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

yet when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.”

Plain English Version

When somebody puts one of those little seeds into the ground, it grows and grows. Later it gets really big with lots of branches. It gets bigger than all the other plants in a vegetable garden, and birds can sit down in the shade of its branches, and they can make their nests there too. Well, that is a picture of how God’s family will grow.”

Translation for Translators

After they are planted, they grow up and become larger than the other garden plants. They put out big branches so that birds are able to make nests in their shade.”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Yet, when it is sown, it grows and becomes greater than all the garden plants, and it forms large branches, so that the birds of heaven can make their nests in its shade.”

Noah Webster Bible

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 its shade.

World English Bible

yet when it is sown, grows up and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow.”

Young's Literal Translation

and whenever it may be sown, it cometh up, and doth become greater than any of the herbs, and doth make great branches, so that under its shade the fowls of the heaven are able to rest.'

Context

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

³¹It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds sown upon the earth.³²But after it is planted, it grows to be the largest of all garden plants and puts forth great branches, so that the birds of the air nest in its shade.”

Summary

In this verse, Jesus uses the analogy of the mustard seed to illustrate the Kingdom of God, emphasizing its small beginnings that grow into something significant. Despite its humble start, the mustard seed grows into a large plant, symbolizing the expansive and transformative nature of God's Kingdom. This imagery conveys the idea that even the smallest acts of faith and obedience can lead to great impact and blessings in the Kingdom of God. It encourages believers to have faith in the power of God to work through them, no matter how insignificant their efforts may seem at the start.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And there arose a great storm of wind,.... Called Laelaps, a wind that is suddenly whirled about upwards and downwards, and is said to be a storm, or tempest of wind with rain; it was a sort of a hurricane: and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was full; of water, and ready to sink. Beza says in one copy it read, and so in one of Stephens's. It was immersed, covered all over with water, and was going down at once to the bottom; so that they were in imminent danger, in the utmost extremity; See Gill on Mat 8:24.