Mark 4:32
New International Version
Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

New Living Translation
but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”

English Standard Version
yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

Berean Literal Bible
and when it has been sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all the garden plants, and produces great branches, so that the birds of the air are able to encamp under its shadow."

King James 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 the shadow of it.

New King James Version
but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”

New American Standard Bible
yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants, and forms large branches, with the result that THE BIRDS OF THE SKY can NEST UNDER its shade.”

NASB 1995
yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR can NEST UNDER ITS SHADE.”

NASB 1977
yet when it is sown, grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR can NEST UNDER ITS SHADE.”

Legacy Standard Bible
yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes largest of all the garden plants and forms large branches; so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR can NEST UNDER ITS SHADE.”

Amplified Bible
yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden herbs; and it puts out large branches, so that THE BIRDS OF THE SKY are able to MAKE NESTS and LIVE UNDER ITS SHADE.”

Christian Standard Bible
And when sown, it comes up and grows taller than all the garden plants, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest in its shade.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And when sown, it comes up and grows taller than all the vegetables, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the sky can nest in its shade.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
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.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
However, when planted, it comes up and becomes taller than all the garden plants. It grows such large branches that birds can nest in its shade."

Good News Translation
After a while it grows up and becomes the biggest of all plants. It puts out such large branches that the birds come and make their nests in its shade."

International Standard Version
when it's planted it comes up and becomes larger than all the garden plants. It grows such large branches that the birds in the sky can nest in its shade."

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
when it is sown, it grows up, becomes the greatest of all garden plants, and grows large branches so that the wild birds can nest in its shade."

New Heart English Bible
And when it is sown, grows up, and becomes greater than all the garden plants, and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow."

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
yet when sown it springs up and becomes larger than all the herbs, and throws out great branches, so that the birds build under its shadow."

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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and whenever it may be sown, it comes up, and becomes greater than any of the herbs, and makes great branches, so that under its shade the birds of the sky are able to rest.”

Berean Literal Bible
and when it has been sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all the garden plants, and produces great branches, so that the birds of the air are able to encamp 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.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And when it be sown, it comes up and is greater than all vegetables, and makes great young shoots; so that the flying things of heaven can encamp under its shadow.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches, so that the birds of the air may dwell under the shadow thereof.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all the plants, and it produces great branches, so much so that the birds of the air are able to live under its shadow.”

New American Bible
But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the largest of plants and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the sky can dwell in its shade.”

New Revised Standard Version
yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But when it is sown, it springs up and becomes greater than all the herbs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds can settle under their shadow.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And when it is sown it comes up and becomes greater than all the small herbs and produces great branches, so that the birds will be able to perch in its shade.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
yet, when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes larger than all garden-plants, and sends out great branches, so that the birds of the air can roost under its shadow.

Godbey New Testament
and when it may be sowed, it springs up, and becomes the greatest of herbs, and produces great branches; so that the birds of the heavens are able to lodge under its shadow.

Haweis New Testament
but when it is sown, it groweth up and becomes greater than all herbaceous plants, and produceth vast branches; so that the birds of the air may roost under the shadow of it.

Mace New Testament
but after it is sown, it grows up, and becometh larger than other plants of the pulse kind, and shooteth out its branches so high, that the fowls of the air may lodge under its shadow.

Weymouth New Testament
yet when sown it springs up and becomes larger than all the herbs, and throws out great branches, so that the birds build under its shadow."

Worrell New Testament
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 heaven can lodge under its shadow."

Worsley New Testament
but after it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all herbs, and produces large branches, so that the birds of the air may lodge under it's shadow.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



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.” 33With many such parables Jesus spoke the word to them, to the extent that they could understand.…

Cross References
Matthew 13:31-32
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. / Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Luke 13:18-19
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? / It is like a mustard seed that a man tossed into his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”

Ezekiel 17:23
I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches.

Daniel 4:12
Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed.

Daniel 4:21
whose foliage was beautiful and whose fruit was abundant, providing food for all, under which the beasts of the field lived, and in whose branches the birds of the air nested—

Psalm 104:12
The birds of the air nest beside the springs; they sing among the branches.

Isaiah 2:2
In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.

Isaiah 60:21
Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified.

Ezekiel 31:6
All the birds of the air nested in its branches, and all the beasts of the field gave birth beneath its boughs; all the great nations lived in its shade.

Ezekiel 31:13
All the birds of the air nested on its fallen trunk, and all the beasts of the field lived among its boughs.

Genesis 1:11-12
Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.” And it was so. / The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 2:9
Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. And in the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 18:18
Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.

Genesis 22:17-18
I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Genesis 26:4
I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed,


Treasury of Scripture

But when it is sown, it grows up, and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

and becometh.

Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Isaiah 11:9
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

shooteth.

Psalm 80:9-11
Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land…

Ezekiel 31:3-10
Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs…

Daniel 4:10-14,20-22
Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; I saw, and behold a tree in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great…

lodge.

Psalm 91:1
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Song of Solomon 2:3
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

Isaiah 32:2
And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

Jump to Previous
Able Air Big Birds Branches Build Forms Forth Fowls Garden Great Greater Greatest Groweth Grows Heaven Herbs Largest Lodge Mounts Nest Nests Perch Planted Plants Produces Puts Putteth Rest Shade Shadow Shooteth Sky Sown Springs Taller Thereof Throws
Jump to Next
Able Air Big Birds Branches Build Forms Forth Fowls Garden Great Greater Greatest Groweth Grows Heaven Herbs Largest Lodge Mounts Nest Nests Perch Planted Plants Produces Puts Putteth Rest Shade Shadow Shooteth Sky Sown Springs Taller Thereof Throws
Mark 4
1. The parable of the sower,
14. and the meaning thereof.
21. We must communicate the light of our knowledge to others.
26. The parable of the seed growing secretly;
30. and of the mustard seed.
35. Jesus stills the storm on the sea.














Yet after it is planted
This phrase emphasizes the initial act of planting, which is a metaphor for the beginning of faith or the Kingdom of God. The Greek word for "planted" is "σπαρείς" (spareis), which implies an intentional act of sowing. In the context of Jesus' parables, this planting represents the introduction of the Kingdom of God into the world, starting small but with the potential for significant growth. Historically, planting is an act of faith, trusting that the seed will grow, much like the faith required to believe in the unseen workings of God's Kingdom.

it grows to become
The growth described here is a natural and expected result of the planting. The Greek word "αὐξάνεται" (auxanetai) means to increase or grow. This growth is not just physical but also spiritual, symbolizing the expansion of God's Kingdom and the deepening of faith. The process of growth is gradual and requires time, patience, and nurturing, reflecting the Christian journey of sanctification and the spread of the Gospel.

the largest of all garden plants
This phrase highlights the surprising and impressive nature of the mustard seed's growth. The Greek word "μεῖζον" (meizon) means greater or larger. In the context of first-century Palestine, the mustard plant was known for its rapid and expansive growth, often reaching heights that overshadowed other garden plants. This imagery serves to illustrate the unexpected and overwhelming nature of God's Kingdom, which starts small but becomes mighty and influential.

and puts forth great branches
The "great branches" signify the strength and reach of the mature plant. The Greek word "κλάδους" (kladous) refers to branches or limbs. These branches provide structure and support, symbolizing the stability and far-reaching impact of the Kingdom of God. In a spiritual sense, the branches represent the various ways the Kingdom extends into the world, offering refuge and support to those who seek it.

so that the birds of the air
The "birds of the air" are often seen as symbols of the nations or people who find refuge in the Kingdom. The Greek word "πετεινὰ" (peteina) refers to birds, and in biblical literature, birds often symbolize various groups of people. This imagery suggests inclusivity and the universal reach of God's Kingdom, where all are welcome to find rest and shelter.

nest in its shade
The act of nesting implies safety, security, and a place to call home. The Greek word "κατασκηνοῦν" (kataskenoun) means to dwell or settle. The shade provided by the mustard plant represents the protection and peace found within the Kingdom of God. This imagery is comforting and reassuring, emphasizing God's provision and care for His people. The shade is a metaphor for the spiritual rest and refuge offered to believers, echoing the biblical theme of God as a shelter and protector.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

after
ὅταν (hotan)
Conjunction
Strong's 3752: When, whenever. From hote and an; whenever; also causatively inasmuch as.

it is planted,
σπαρῇ (sparē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4687: To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.

it grows
ἀναβαίνει (anabainei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.

to be
γίνεται (ginetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

larger
μεῖζον (meizon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular - Comparative
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

than all
πάντων (pantōn)
Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

garden plants
λαχάνων (lachanōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3001: An herb, garden plant, vegetable. From lachaino; a vegetable.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

puts forth
ποιεῖ (poiei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

great
μεγάλους (megalous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

branches,
κλάδους (kladous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2798: A young tender shoot, then: a branch; met: of descendants. From klao; a twig or bough.

so that
ὥστε (hōste)
Conjunction
Strong's 5620: So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

birds
πετεινὰ (peteina)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4071: A bird, fowl. Neuter of a derivative of petomai; a flying animal, i.e. Bird.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

air
οὐρανοῦ (ouranou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

nest
κατασκηνοῦν (kataskēnoun)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 2681: From kata and skenoo; to camp down, i.e. Haunt; figuratively, to remain.

in
ὑπὸ (hypo)
Preposition
Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).

its
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

shade.”
σκιὰν (skian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4639: Apparently a primary word; 'shade' or a shadow (darkness of error or an adumbration).


Links
Mark 4:32 NIV
Mark 4:32 NLT
Mark 4:32 ESV
Mark 4:32 NASB
Mark 4:32 KJV

Mark 4:32 BibleApps.com
Mark 4:32 Biblia Paralela
Mark 4:32 Chinese Bible
Mark 4:32 French Bible
Mark 4:32 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Mark 4:32 Yet when it is sown grows up (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 4:31
Top of Page
Top of Page