A surgical instrument comprising, a shaft, and an end effector comprising first and second jaw members and a reciprocating member. The end effector may additionally comprise a first push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled to the shaft at a first pivot point as well as a first linkage member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled to a second pivot point. In this way, distal motion of the reciprocating member may exert a force on the first and second jaw members causing the first and second jaw members to translate towards one another in a substantially parallel motion.