4:32a

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as But here introduces a contrast with what one expects. The mustard seed is the smallest seed, but it becomes the largest plant. Introduce this contrast in a way that is most natural in your language.

after it is planted: The verb planted is passive. In this context, this clause refers generally to people planting mustard seeds. It may be more natural in your language to make this active and say who planted the seed. If that is true, you should use a general expression such as “we,” “you,” or “they.” For example:

when you(plur) plant them
-or-
when we(incl) plant one

garden plants: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as garden plants refers to vegetable and herb plants. These plants do not have a trunk like a tree. They do not normally grow more than one meter high. However, the mustard plant can grow as high as three meters. It was the largest plant that the Jews planted in their gardens. Use a term for garden plants that is natural in your language. For example:

the tallest of all vegetables

General Comment on 4:31a–32a

The verb “is planted” occurs in both 4:31b and 4:32a. In some languages it may be more natural to reorder the information in 4:31. If you put the verb “is planted” near the end of 4:31b, you may not need to repeat it in 4:32a. For example, the Good News Bible says:

31aIt is like this. A man takes a mustard seed, 31bthe smallest seed in the world, and plants it in the ground. 32aAfter a while it grows up…

4:32b

and puts forth great branches: Here is another way to say puts forth great branches:

It grows such large branches (God’s Word)

In some languages the idea of a plant growing branches may be expressed by using a verb. For example:

It branches long/large branches

Use an expression that is natural in your language.

4:32c

the birds of the air: The phrase birds of the air is the Jewish way of referring to wild birds that can fly. In some languages it may be natural to translate this simply as:

birds

nest: There are two interpretations for the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as nest:

(1) It refers to making a place to live. Birds make nests. The Revised Standard Version has:

can make nests

(Revised Standard Version, Good News Bible, New Century Version, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation)

(2) It refers to finding a temporary place to rest. For example, the Revised English Bible says:

can roost

(New International Version, Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

in its shade: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as in its shadeprobably refers to lower branches that were shaded by higher branches. It should not imply that the birds made nests on the ground.

Here are some other ways to translate this whole phrase:

birds can nest in its shaded branches
-or-
birds can make nests in its branches that are under/in the shade

Paragraph 4:33–34

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