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Mat 13:32. Ὃ, which) sc. seed: for κόκκος (grain) is masculine.-μικρότερον, the least) i.e. not absolutely, but in the proportion which the seed bears to the plant. It was a well-known kind of seed, used proverbially; see ch. Mat 17:20.-σπερμάτων, of seeds) The world contains various seeds of wisdom, power, and virtue; the Christian faith has surpassed them all, having been propagated through the whole world. The kingdom of heaven is like a grain; and so is the whole of Christianity, faith, etc. These things may be variously expressed. The faith here intended is that of all those believers, who embrace it before others: the others are those who believe afterwards-nations, kings, etc.-μεῖζον-λαχάνων-δένδρον, greater herbs-tree) two classes of vegetables. Tremellius,[628] on this passage in the Syriac Version, adduces examples of such immense trees.-It became a tree, one may say, in the time of Constantine.[629]-τὰ πετεινὰ, the birds) see Eze 17:23.-κλάδοις, branches) sc. widely spreading.
[628] EMMANUEL TREMELLIUS was born in the sixteenth century at Ferrara, of Jewish parents. He rendered himself master of the Hebrew language, and secretly embraced Protestantism. He became Professor of Hebrew at Heidelberg, from whence he went to Metz, and thence to Sedan. He made himself known by his Latin Version of the Syriac New Testament. He died in 1580.-(I. B.)
[629] The kingdom of Christ is being extended now throughout the whole world.-V. g.