Mark 4:30-36

³⁰Jesus told them another parable. He said, “I will tell you RHQ how the number of people whose lives God rules in a new way will continue to grow (OR, each continue to have more and more influence in this world). I hope RHQ that this illustration will show this to you.

³¹You know what happens to mustard seeds when we plant them. Though mustard seeds are among the smallest of seeds, here in Israel they become large plants.

³²After they are planted, they grow up and become larger than the other garden plants. They put out big branches so that birds are able to make nests in their shade.”

³³Jesus used many such illustrations when he talked to the people about God. If they were able to understand some, he kept telling them more.

³⁴He always used parables when he spoke to them. But he explained all the illustrations to his own disciples when he was alone with them.

³⁵On that same day, when the sun was setting, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let's cross over to the opposite side of Lake Galilee in the boat.”

³⁶So they left the crowd, got in the boat where Jesus already was, and left. Other people went with them in other boats.