The Theology of Plant in Scripture

The Plant in the Old Testament

The symbolic significance of plants in the Old Testament roots deeply in creation and covenant, building on the biblical theme of growth as a reflection of divine purpose.

In Genesis, plants first appear as part of God’s creative order, where He causes the earth to yield vegetation 'after its kind' (Genesis 2:9-10), establishing the Garden of Eden as a sanctuary of life sustained by His design. The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:9) further elevate plants as symbols of moral and spiritual choice, with their presence underscoring humanity’s intimate connection to God’s provision and command. This foundational narrative frames plant growth as a sign of harmony with God’s will.

Deuteronomy expands this symbolism by linking plant life to covenant faithfulness. The promise of 'abundance of all things' (Deuteronomy 7:13-14) includes blessings of fertile land and flourishing crops, which signify God’s favor toward obedience. Here, agricultural prosperity becomes a tangible expression of His covenantal commitment to His people, with plants representing both material and spiritual flourishing.

These early associations of plants with creation and covenantal blessing lay the groundwork for later biblical reflections on growth as a metaphor for God’s enduring faithfulness, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.

Jesus and the Parable of the Growing Seed

In Mark 4:26-29, Jesus redefines plant symbolism by framing growth as a mystery of divine sovereignty rather than human control.

Jesus’ parable of the growing seed (Mark 4:26-29) contrasts sharply with Old Testament agricultural metaphors, where human labor and covenant faithfulness often drove plant growth. Here, the sower casts seed on the soil and 'does not know how' it grows (Mark 4:27), emphasizing that the kingdom’s expansion depends entirely on God’s invisible, inscrutable work. The 'earth produces by itself' (Mark 4:28), a radical departure from Deuteronomy’s covenantal blessings, where divine favor was tied to Israel’s obedience. This parable underscores spiritual transformation as God’s sovereign act, not a reward for human effort.

The 'growth' in this parable symbolizes the kingdom’s spiritual fruit - repentance, faith, and discipleship - emerging through Christ’s redemptive work. Unlike Old Testament imagery, where plants reflected covenantal status, here the seed’s germination mirrors the believer’s inner renewal by the Holy Spirit.

This redefinition prepares readers for the cross and resurrection, where Jesus’ death and life become the ultimate 'harvest' (Mark 4:29). By withholding explicit details about growth, Jesus calls disciples to trust in God’s timing and methods, a theme that deepens in his post-resurrection commission to 'go into all the world' (Mark 16:15).

What the Plant Symbol Means for Us Today

The parable of the growing seed challenges believers today to trust in God’s sovereign timing and unseen work in spiritual growth.

The 'mystery of the kingdom' (Mark 4:11) reveals that spiritual growth unfolds through divine initiative, not human calculation. Like the seed that grows secretly by God’s power (Mark 4:27-28), believers must surrender control, recognizing that transformation occurs in God’s timing and through means often imperceptible to us. This principle invites us to relinquish anxiety over our spiritual progress, trusting that the Holy Spirit cultivates faith, repentance, and discipleship internally. By embracing this mystery, we align with Christ’s redemptive work, allowing the unseen labor of God to bear fruit in our lives and communities.

Going Deeper

To deepen our understanding, we can explore agricultural metaphors in Isaiah 5 and John 12:24, which further illuminate God’s redemptive work.

In Isaiah 5, God’s vineyard (Israel) is cultivated with care but bears wild grapes, symbolizing covenant unfaithfulness (Isaiah 5:1-7). Similarly, Jesus declares in John 12:24 that a grain of wheat must die to bear much fruit, illustrating how spiritual growth requires surrender to God’s transformative purposes. These metaphors challenge us to reflect on how our own ‘growth’ in faith depends on yielding to His shaping hand.