In Mark 4:31 and Matthew 13:32, Jesus refers to the mustard seed as the smallest of seeds, yet in fact the orchid seed is the smallest seed. Could it have just been the smallest in Palestine that grew to be the largest? Could you please help me make sense of this so I can explain it to people who are eager to disprove the Bible and discredit Jesus?
First, in Greek “smallest” can well mean “very small.” Second, even if we discern an exalted botanical claim, the superlative need not necessarily be taken literally; hyperbole is common in Semitic parlance. Of course, if Jesus cared nothing about being relatable to his Palestinian audience, he could have named the eucalyptus tree, whose miniscule seed produces a tree up to three hundred feet tall! But he didn’t, presumably for the same reason the Bible never mentions koala bears and kangaroos—these were not familiar to his audience. I think you are right: the mustard seed is minuscule, and yet it produces a plant up to eight to ten feet tall.
In this case, the feel may be as follows: “The mustard seed—the smallest seed you’ve ever seen—illustrates what the kingdom of God is like….”
If people are eager to disprove the Bible and discredit Jesus, there may be little you can say that will convince them. They have to be willing, deep down in their innermost being, to follow truth wherever it may lead (John 7:17). Still, it is good and right to silence the criticisms with a to-the-point, respectful answer. I hope this helps!
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