28. By itself the soil produces a crop, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head.
29. And when the grain is ripe, he sends in the sickle because the harvest has come.”
30. He also asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to present it?
31. It is like a mustard seed that when sown in the ground, even though it is the smallest of all the seeds in the ground –
32. 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.”
33. So with many parables like these, he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear.
34. He did not speak to them without a parable. But privately he explained everything to his own disciples.
35. On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.”