Chapter Thirteen - Quick Notes and Facts

• The numbers in the parable of the sower are exaggerations.  The estimate of a good yield in those days was about ten-fold.


• Mustard seeds are indeed small, and the bushes lush, but not quite the ‘greatest of all.'  Exaggeration was one way to keep interest when telling the story.


• The brothers and sisters of Jesus mentioned by name here are a conundrum for Catholic tradition.  Catholic doctrine teaches that Mary remained a virgin always, and so never had other children.  The explanations for this are that 1) "brother and sister" meant more than siblings, but also cousins or 2) Joseph had children from a first marriage, and then was widowed before marrying Mary.  (This is represented in many medieval and Renaissance paintings which show Joseph as an old man.)