The Meaning of Mark 4:31 Explained

Mark 4:31

KJV: It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

YLT: As a grain of mustard, which, whenever it may be sown on the earth, is less than any of the seeds that are on the earth;

Darby: As to a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, is less than all seeds which are upon the earth,

ASV: It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown upon the earth, though it be less than all the seeds that are upon the earth,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

[It is] like  a grain  of mustard seed,  which,  when  it is sown  in  the earth,  is less  than all  the seeds  that be  in  the earth: 

What does Mark 4:31 Mean?

Context Summary

Mark 4:10-41 - Growth In God's Kingdom
How quick the Master was to observe the meaning of natural symbols! To Him all things were unfoldings of eternal mystery, and the ways of men unconsciously mirrored the unseen. Are there bushels in your life? Use them as lamp stands, not as coverings. All secrets come out; beware of what you say. All measures come back to us; take care how you mete. The mysterious co-operation of God in nature, and the gradual process of growth, are analogous to the co-working of the Holy Spirit with all faithful sowers of the Word, and the imperceptible stages through which the soul reaches maturity.
The stilling of the storm, Mark 4:35-41. They that bear Christ's company must prepare for squalls. Yet, why should we fear, when the Master is on board, who can impress His commands on wind and sea-to the wind, Peace; to the sea, Be still! "The Lord on high is mightier than the waves of the sea." A moment ago he was so weary as to sleep amid the storm, but at a word of appeal from those He loves, He shows Himself able to save to the uttermost. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

Greek Commentary for Mark 4:31

When it is sown [οταν σπαρηι]
Second aorist passive subjunctive of σπειρω — speirō Alone in Mark and repeated in Mark 4:32. [source]
Less than all the seeds [μικροτερον παντων των σπερματων]
Comparative adjective with the ablative case after it. Hyperbole, of course, but clearly meaning that from a very small seed a large plant grows, the gradual pervasive expansive power of the kingdom of God. [source]
When it is sown [ὅταν σπαρῇ]
This phrase is repeated in Mark 4:32. Here the emphasis is on ὅταν , when. It is small at the time when it is sown. In Mark 4:32 the emphasis is on σπαρῇ , it is sown. It begins to grow great from the time when it is sown. [source]
That are upon the earth []
A little detail peculiar to Mark. [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 4:31 mean?

As to a grain of mustard which when it has been sown upon the earth smallest is of all the seeds which [are]
ὡς κόκκῳ σινάπεως ὃς ὅταν σπαρῇ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς μικρότερον ὂν πάντων τῶν σπερμάτων τῶν

κόκκῳ  to  a  grain 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: κόκκος  
Sense: a grain.
σινάπεως  of  mustard 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: σίναπι  
Sense: mustard, the name of a plant which in oriental countries grows from a very small seed and attains to the height of a tree, 0 feet (3 m) and more; hence a very small quantity of a thing is likened to a mustard seed, and also a thing which grows to a remarkable size.
σπαρῇ  it  has  been  sown 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐπισπείρω 
Sense: to sow, scatter, seed.
ἐπὶ  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
γῆς  earth 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.
μικρότερον  smallest 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Singular, Comparative
Root: μικρός  
Sense: small, little.
πάντων  of  all 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
σπερμάτων  seeds 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: σπέρμα  
Sense: from which a plant germinates.
τῶν  which  [are] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.