Parable of the Mustard Seed

Matt. 13:31, 32; Mark 4:30–32

18 kThen He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a 6large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

Parable of the Leaven

Matt. 13:33–35

20 And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God? 21 It is like 7leaven, which a woman took and hid in three lmeasures 8of meal till it was all leavened.”

The Way into the Kingdom

22 mAnd He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there nfew who are saved?”

And He said to them, 24 o“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for pmany, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 qWhen once the Master of the house has risen up and rshut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, s‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, t‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ 26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ 27 uBut He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. vDepart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 wThere will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, xwhen you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 yAnd indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”