Great reflection, but being an avid grower and eater of garden mustard I researched the plant mentioned. Mustard in Jesus' time and culture was not the brassica that we eat or make a condiment from, but an actual tree! I was always confused by the passage, so I had to figure it out.
Thanks Judson! I too had to do a bit of digging , as far as I can tell the mustard tree, or bush, that Jesus is describing is Brassica nigra, or Black Mustard, which is native to the Middle East and can grow around 6 feet, or more in height, and spreading out as it grows up giving it a more bush-like appearance. It is an annual plant that can spread its seeds quite far and is considered hard to get rid of once propagated.
Great reflection, but being an avid grower and eater of garden mustard I researched the plant mentioned. Mustard in Jesus' time and culture was not the brassica that we eat or make a condiment from, but an actual tree! I was always confused by the passage, so I had to figure it out.
Thanks Judson! I too had to do a bit of digging , as far as I can tell the mustard tree, or bush, that Jesus is describing is Brassica nigra, or Black Mustard, which is native to the Middle East and can grow around 6 feet, or more in height, and spreading out as it grows up giving it a more bush-like appearance. It is an annual plant that can spread its seeds quite far and is considered hard to get rid of once propagated.
I came up with Salvadora Peisica, which is called mustard tree and is common in the Middle East.
Very interesting! That didn’t show up for me when I was searching about this. I now have something else to look into, so thank you!
Sure. I'm a plant geek...herbalist, permaculture, master gardener, etc... love obscure plant stuff!
This is so true! Thank you for reminding and encouraging us!!