Matthew 13:31-32
He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." (NIV)
Mark 4:30-32
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 seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." (NIV)
Luke 13:18-19
Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches." (NIV)
  1. What does Jesus mean when he says that the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed?
    1. He means that we should go around telling everyone about Jesus, thus planting seeds, and then some will grow.
    2. He means that the kingdom of God was small then but would grow bigger as time goes on.
    3. He means that the seeds of truth are very subtle things, that grow in our hearts to become things of great importance.
    4. A Mustard plaster was use to heal wounds, so like that the word of God is a healer.

     

  2. What is the significance of the seed being very small?
    1. It is not the size that is significant, but the fact that mustard, when mature, is yellow, and symbolized boldness.
    2. The mustard seed is small, like the letters of each word in the Bible, but the Bible is a big book.
    3. Biblical understanding starts with a glimmer, but blossoms into great truths.
    4. Small minded people cannot contain the flowering word.

     

  3. What does the garden symbolize?
    1. It is symbolic for the original sin committed in the garden of Eden.
    2. It is symbolic for the heart of a person, that is, the spirit.
    3. It is symbolic for the nation of Israel.
    4. It is the place that the fruits of righteousness grows.

     

  4. Are the kingdom of heaven, and the kingdom of God, two names for the same thing?
    1. Yes.
    2. No.

     

  5. What does the mustard seed symbolize?
    1. The Word of God.
    2. Truth.
    3. Jesus Christ.
    4. All of the above.
    Matthew 13:33
    He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." (NIV)
    Luke 13:20-21
    Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." (NIV)

     

  6. What does the yeast symbolize?
    1. The Bible.
    2. The Word of God.
    3. The teachings of Christ.
    4. The Truth.
    5. All of the above.

     

  7. What does the flour symbolize?
    1. The Church.
    2. The mind.
    3. The Word of God.
    4. The heart of a person.

     

  8. Is the amount of yeast significant?
    1. Yes.
    2. No.

     

  9. Is the fact that the yeast was used by a woman significant?
    1. Yes.
    2. No.
    Matthew 13:44
    "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. (NIV)

     

  10. How much did the man pay for the treasure hidden in the field?
    1. It was free, the gospel cannot be earned, nor can it be purchased.
    2. Everything that he had.

     

  11. What does it mean that the man "bought" the field?
    1. It means that Jesus died on the cross to purchase our freedom.
    2. It means that the man gave himself over to God.
    3. It means that the supporting of the Church through financial gifts is important to God.
    4. It means that entrance into heaven can be "bought" with good works.
    Matthew 13:45-46
    "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (NIV)

     

  12. Is this really a repeat of the treasure hidden in the field parable?
    1. Yes.
    2. No.

     

  13. Is the price paid for the pearl significant?
    1. Yes.
    2. No.

     

  14. What does the pearl symbolize?
    1. The Word of God.
    2. A relationship with God.
    3. The temple in Jerusalem.
    4. One of the doorways into heaven.
    Mark 4:26-29
    He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain -- first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come." (NIV)

     

  15. What does the seed represent?
    1. Good deeds.
    2. Hard work.
    3. Church attendance.
    4. The Word of God.

     

  16. Who makes the seed grow?
    1. God.
    2. The man.
    3. It doesn't grow.
    4. The water.

     

  17. What does the grain represent?
    1. Prosperity.
    2. Health.
    3. Spiritual growth.
    4. Authority.

     

  18. What is meant by the man scattering seed on the ground?
    1. It means that he has been spreading the gospel.
    2. It means that he has been going to church regularly.
    3. It means that he went to Bible college.
    4. It means that he has been reading the Bible.

     

To check your answers Click Here to proceed to the Answers Page.
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The New Wine SkinsWhat is the meaning of the Parable of the 'New Wine Skin?'
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End of the AgeTwo Parable concerning the End of the Age are examined.
The Ten VirginsWho do the Ten Virgins represent?
The TalentsWhat does the Parable of the Talents mean?
The MinasWhat does the Parable of the Minas mean?
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lost souls are examined.
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The Wretched TenantsWho are the Wretched Tenants and what
will happen to them?
The Good SamaritianWho are your Neighbors?
Going the DistanceFive Parables are examined concerning Stedfastness.