Jesus told them two parables to show them how the number of people who will submit to God’s rule over their lives will greatly increase.

Mark 4:26-34

26 Jesus also said, “God has the power to change people who let him rule their lives. I will illustrate how that can happen [MET]. A man planted seeds in the ground. 27 Afterwards he slept each night and rose each day without worrying about the seeds. During that time the seeds sprouted and grew in a way that he did not understand, because by itself the soil caused the plants to grow and produce grain. 28 First the stalks appeared. Then the heads appeared. Then the full kernels in the heads appeared. 29 As soon as the grain was ripe he sent people [MTY] to harvest it because it was time to harvest the grain.”

30 Jesus 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. 31 You 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. 32 After 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.”

33 Jesus used many such illustrations when he talked to the people about God. If they were able to understand some, he kept telling them more. 34 He always used parables when he spoke to them. But he explained all the illustrations to his own disciples when he was alone with them.