28 All by itself the soil produces corn – first the stalk, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.
29 As soon as the corn is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.’
30 Again he said, ‘What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?
31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.
32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.’
33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.
34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.