Parable of the Mustard Seed size." The Parable of the Leaven (which in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke immediately follows) shares this theme of large growth from small beginnings. As with the Parable of the Sower, which in "Matthew" and "Mark" occurs earlier in the same chapter, the man sowing the seed represents Jesus, and the plant is the Kingdom of God. The nesting birds may refer to Old Testament texts which emphasize the universal reach of God's empire, such as Daniel 4:12. However, a real mustard plant is unlikely to attract nesting birds, so that "Jesus seems deliberately to emphasize the notion of
Parable of the Good Samaritan he was one who never could Pass by the other side. An honest man whom men called soft, While laughing in their sleeves — No doubt in business ways he oft Had fallen amongst thieves."</poem> John Gardiner Calkins Brainard also wrote a poem on the theme. Dramatic film adaptations of the Parable of the Good Samaritan include "Samaritan", part of the widely acclaimed "Modern Parables" DVD Bible study series. "Samaritan", which sets the parable in modern times, stars Antonio Albadran in the role of the Good Samaritan. The English composer, Benjamin Britten, was commissioned to write a piece to mark