²⁶ Again Jesus said:

God’s kingdom is like what happens when a farmer scatters seed in a field.²⁷ The farmer sleeps at night and is up and around during the day. Yet the seeds keep sprouting and growing, and he doesn’t understand how.²⁸ It is the ground that makes the seeds sprout and grow into plants that produce grain.²⁹ Then when harvest season comes and the grain is ripe, the farmer cuts it with a sickle.

A Mustard Seed

³⁰ Finally, Jesus said:

What is God’s kingdom like? What story can I use to explain it?³¹ It is like what happens when a mustard seed is planted in the ground. It is the smallest seed in all the world.³² But once it is planted, it grows larger than any garden plant. It even puts out branches that are big enough for birds to nest in its shade.

The Reason for Teaching with Stories

³³ Jesus used many other stories when he spoke to the people, and he taught them as much as they could understand.³⁴ He did not tell them anything without using stories. But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.