27. And then continues sleeping and rising night and day while the seed sprouts and grows and increases–he knows not how.
28. The earth produces [acting] by itself–first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
29. But when the grain is ripe and permits, immediately he sends forth [the reapers] and puts in the sickle, because the harvest stands ready.
30. And He said, With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate and explain it?
31. It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all seeds upon the earth;
32. Yet after it is sown, it grows up and becomes the greatest of all garden herbs and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air are able to make nests and dwell in its shade.
33. With many such parables [Jesus] spoke the Word to them, as they were able to hear and to comprehend and understand.
34. He did not tell them anything without a parable; but privately to His disciples (those who were peculiarly His own) He explained everything [fully].