Then He asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it?
Parallel translations
- WEB He said, “How will we liken God’s Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it?
- KJV And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?
- NKJV Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?
- NASB And He was saying, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?
- NLT Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus asks how to picture God's kingdom. It matters because it introduces the parable of the mustard seed and its surprising growth.
Overview
By posing the question, Jesus invites his hearers to ponder the kingdom's nature. He prepares a comparison that contrasts humble beginnings with great results. This sets up the assurance that God's reign, though it starts small and unimpressive, will expand far beyond expectation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Matt 13:31–32He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field.
- Luke 13:18–21Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?
- Lam 2:13What can I say for you? To what can I compare you, O Daughter of Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may console you, O Virgin Daughter of Zion? For your wound is as deep as the sea. Who can ever heal you?
- Matt 13:24Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
- Matt 11:16To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 4:30 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.