Representing the PERGAMOS Period (Matthew 13:31, 32) (Compare Mark 4:30-32 and Luke 13:18, 19.)
The third parable in the series is one of the most obvious in its representation of a specific period in Church history. Pergamos is the period of “earthly elevation.” The parable is based on phenomenal growth — from a seed to an impressive tree.
This is one of three parables in the series which also is reported in other accounts. Apparently Mark and Luke found it impressive.
There is no additional material before or after the parable. It stands alone as a prophetic testimonial of the impressive growth in strength of the “tare” element introduced in the verses before it.
13:31. Once again Jesus begins by telling us that this parable represents something regarding the Gospel Age development of “the Kingdom of Heaven.” It is, in short, a history (or prophecy in this case) of the growth of the “Christian” World.
Here and in Matthew 17:20 Jesus uses a mustard seed to represent the seed of faith. It apparently differs from the wheat seed of the previous parable — probably because a wheat seed produces a single stalk, whereas a mustard seed results in an impressive plant.
Jesus is still the sower which means that there is nothing sinister about the seed. Instead of representing the Gospel message as the wheat seed did, it represents the beginning of a FAITH STRUCTURE. Here, of course, is the difficulty. A wheat seed bears only wheat; but faith is an elusive thing. Faith can begin with the very best of a foundation but can MUTATE into something unrecognizable from its inception. Thus, the “Christian World” of the Gospel Age began from a true faith, but EVOLVED into a faith which is monstrous. It is not that nominal Christianity doesn’t have faith; it is that it is a corrupted faith.
We cannot help but see a sort of parallelism with Revelation 12:1, 2, and 5. There we have the woman (Sarah Covenant) which begins the age with prophecy (moon) as her foundation, with the Gospel light (sun) as her clothing (justification), and with the twelve stars (Apostles) guiding her thoughts. Her purpose of course, is to give birth to the faith seed (Isaac) of the Abrahamic Covenant. But, to her horror, she gives birth to an apostate also — a seed with a corrupted faith and purpose.
13:32. Jesus acknowledges that true faith has small beginnings — smaller than ideas which launch more visible endeavors. Hence, “smaller than all other seeds.”
But faith can grow unto the largest thing in our lives. Hence, “when it is full grown it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree.” Here we have a dual meaning. It is good when our faith produces a mature and strong result. “Trees” are prominent individuals in the symbolism of Scripture. Sometimes they are institutions, nations, or even the Old and New Testaments. (See, for example, Revelation 7:3; Mark 8:24; Luke 21:29; Revelation 11:4.) But, in this parable, the tree is the institution of apostate Christianity — a decidedly evil thing.
Jesus borrows from the Sower parable with his use of “birds.” In that parable, he defined “birds” as being Satan and his devices. That is the point here also. Just as Satan sowed tares “AMONG THE WHEAT” (13:25), he also DWELLS in this large and impressive tree. (Compare Revelation 18:2.)
That’s the parable — short but full of meaning as Jesus forecasts the immense, demon-inhabited, institution to be known as “Christendom” (= Christ’s Kingdom!). The “earthly elevation” (the meaning of the name Pergamos) was dramatic. The “Church of Rome” was born!
The Mark and Luke Accounts — (Mark 4:30-32 and Luke 13:18, 19)
As before mentioned, the sequencing of parables in Matthew is of inspired significance. We do not find this in Mark and Luke. In Mark, however, we see that Mark at least tries to group his account of parables by similar subject matter. Thus, Mark 4 contains The Sower, a parable about seed growth, and finally The Mustard Seed.
Mark’s account of The Mustard Seed has no significant variance from Matthew’s account.
Luke has the parable seemingly in no particular context. He does, however, as Matthew does, follow it with the Leaven parable. Luke, like Mark, offers us no significant variance.
Connections to Pergamos
The immediate connection is quickly clear from history. When the third Church period begins, Constantine adopts Christianity as the official religion of the realm. What kind of impetus could more stimulate growth! And it did.
In Revelation 2:12-17 we find the Lord’s words to the Pergamos “angel” (Arius). Within these verses we find the following two “hints” that connect this Church to The Mustard Seed parable:
- In 2:13, the bird has nested! The tree has become “Satan’s throne”!
- In 2:13, the true saints persevere and hold the true mustard seed; “My faith ”