Luke 13:18
New International Version
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?

New Living Translation
Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it?

English Standard Version
He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

Berean Standard Bible
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?

Berean Literal Bible
And He was saying, "To what is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I liken it?

King James Bible
Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

New King James Version
Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

New American Standard Bible
So He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?

NASB 1995
So He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?

NASB 1977
Therefore He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore, He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?

Amplified Bible
So this led Him to say, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

Christian Standard Bible
He said, therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like, and what can I compare it to?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said, therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like, and what can I compare it to?

American Standard Version
He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?

Contemporary English Version
Jesus said, "What is God's kingdom like? What can I compare it with?

English Revised Version
He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What can I compare it to?

Good News Translation
Jesus asked, "What is the Kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with?

International Standard Version
So Jesus went on to say, "What is the kingdom of God like? What can I compare it to?

Majority Standard Bible
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?

NET Bible
Thus Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? To what should I compare it?

New Heart English Bible
Then he said, "What is the Kingdom of God like? And to what can I compare it?

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said he, To what is the kingdom of God like? and to what shall I resemble it?

Weymouth New Testament
This prompted Him to say, "What is the Kingdom of God like? and to what shall I compare it?

World English Bible
He said, “What is God’s Kingdom like? To what shall I compare it?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He said, “To what is the Kingdom of God like? And to what will I liken it?

Berean Literal Bible
And He was saying, "To what is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I liken it?

Young's Literal Translation
And he said, 'To what is the reign of God like? and to what shall I liken it?

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said, To what is the kingdom of God like? and to what shall I liken it?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He said therefore: To what is the kingdom of God like, and whereunto shall I resemble it?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so he said: “To what is the kingdom of God similar, and to what figure shall I compare it?

New American Bible
Then he said, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?

New Revised Standard Version
He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Jesus said, To what is the kingdom of God like? and to what shall I liken it?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But Yeshua said, “What is the Kingdom of God like and to what shall I compare it?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then he said: To what is the kingdom of God like; and to what shall I liken it?

Godbey New Testament
Then He said, To what is the kingdom of God like? and to what shall I liken it?

Haweis New Testament
Then said he, To what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I compare it?

Mace New Testament
Then he said, what does the kingdom of God resemble? to what shall I compare it?

Weymouth New Testament
This prompted Him to say, "What is the Kingdom of God like? and to what shall I compare it?

Worrell New Testament
And He said, "To what is the Kingdom of God like? and to what shall I liken it?

Worsley New Testament
Then said He, To what is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
17When Jesus said this, all His adversaries were humiliated. And the whole crowd rejoiced at all the glorious things He was doing. 18Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? 19It is like a mustard seed that a man tossed into his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”…

Cross References
Matthew 13:31-32
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. / Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Mark 4:30-32
Then He asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it? / It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds sown upon the earth. / But after it is planted, it grows to be the largest of all garden plants and puts forth great branches, so that the birds of the air nest in its shade.”

Daniel 4:10-12
In these visions of my mind as I was lying in bed, I saw this come to pass: There was a tree in the midst of the land, and its height was great. / The tree grew large and strong; its top reached the sky, and it was visible to the ends of the earth. / Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed.

Ezekiel 17:22-24
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will take a shoot from the lofty top of the cedar, and I will set it out. I will pluck a tender sprig from its topmost shoots, and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. / I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. / Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’”

Ezekiel 31:3-9
Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds. / The waters made it grow; the deep springs made it tall, directing their streams all around its base and sending their channels to all the trees of the field. / Therefore it towered higher than all the trees of the field. Its branches multiplied, and its boughs grew long as it spread them out because of the abundant waters. ...

Isaiah 2:2-3
In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. / And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 11:9
They will neither harm nor destroy on all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the sea is full of water.

Isaiah 60:21-22
Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever; they are the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, so that I may be glorified. / The least of you will become a thousand, and the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will accomplish it quickly.

Psalm 72:16-17
May there be an abundance of grain in the land; may it sway atop the hills. May its fruit trees flourish like the forests of Lebanon, the people of its cities like the grass of the field. / May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun shines. In him may all nations be blessed; may they call him blessed.

Psalm 80:8-11
You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. / You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. / The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches. ...

Jeremiah 23:3-4
Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. / I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 31:12
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish.

Hosea 14:5-7
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. / His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon. / They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Zechariah 8:23
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue will tightly grasp the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

Zechariah 14:10-11
All the land from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem will be turned into a plain, but Jerusalem will be raised up and will remain in her place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepresses. / People will live there, and never again will there be an utter destruction. So Jerusalem will dwell securely.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said he, To what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

Unto.

Luke 13:20
And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

Luke 7:31
And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?

Lamentations 2:13
What thing shall I take to witness for thee? what thing shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? what shall I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? for thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?

the kingdom.

Luke 17:21
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Mark 4:26,30
And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; …

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Compare Comparison Jesus Kingdom Liken Prompted Reign Resemble Whereunto
Luke 13
1. Jesus preaches repentance upon the punishment of the Galilaeans and others.
6. The fruitless fig tree may not stand.
10. He heals the crooked woman;
18. shows the powerful working of the word, by the parable of the grain of mustard seed,
20. and of leaven;
22. exhorts to enter in at the strait gate;
31. and reproves Herod and Jerusalem.














Then Jesus asked
This phrase introduces a teaching moment from Jesus, indicating a transition in His discourse. The Greek word for "asked" is "εἶπεν" (eipen), which can also mean "said" or "spoke." This suggests a deliberate and thoughtful introduction to a parable, a common teaching method used by Jesus. In the context of first-century Judea, rabbis often used questions to engage their audience, prompting them to think deeply about spiritual truths.

What is the kingdom of God like?
The "kingdom of God" is a central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing God's sovereign rule and reign. The Greek word for "kingdom" is "βασιλεία" (basileia), which implies not just a physical realm but the authority and governance of God. In the historical context, the Jewish people were anticipating a messianic kingdom that would restore Israel. Jesus, however, redefines this expectation by emphasizing a spiritual kingdom that transcends earthly politics and power.

To what can I compare it?
This rhetorical question invites the listener to consider the nature of God's kingdom through analogy. The Greek word for "compare" is "ὁμοιόω" (homoioō), meaning to liken or make similar. Jesus often used parables to illustrate complex spiritual truths in relatable terms. This method reflects the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, where comparisons and metaphors are used to convey deeper understanding. In this context, Jesus is preparing to reveal the unexpected and transformative nature of God's kingdom, challenging conventional expectations and inviting His audience to see with spiritual insight.

(18-21) Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like?--See Notes on Matthew 13:31-33. The first impression with most readers, in the absence of any apparent trace of sequence, is that we have an isolated fragment of our Lord's teaching, torn from the context in which we find it in St. Matthew. On the other hand, we must remember (1) that our Lord was in the synagogue, and it was on the Sabbath day, and that so both time and place called for teaching of some kind; and (2) that the parables that follow may well be regarded but as samples of the teaching which those who were in the synagogue had treasured up in their memories. They were fit and edifying parables at any time; not least so, assuredly, at this. When proof had been given that the Kingdom of God had indeed come nigh unto men, it was well to set before them something as to its nature, its extent, its mode of working inwardly and outwardly; and the fact that the similitudes which did this had been used before, did not necessarily make them inapplicable or unprofitable when used again.

Verses 18-21. - The Lord, is two little prophetic parables tells the people how strangely and mightily his religion would spread over the earth. Verse 18. - Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? In the seventeenth verse - after the Lord's words spoken to his enemies, who took exception at his miracle of healing worked for the poor woman who had been bent for eighteen years, because he had done it on the sabbath day - we read how "all his adversaries were ashamed; and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him." This discomfiture of the hypocrites, and the honest joy of the simple folk over a noble and Divine deed of mercy, accompanied by brave, kind words, seem to have suggested to the Master the subject of the two little parables of the mustard seed and the leaven, in which parables the growth of his glorious kingdom was foreshadowed from very small beginnings. The very small beginning he could discern in what then surrounded him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

[Jesus] asked,
Ἔλεγεν (Elegen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“What
Τίνι (Tini)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

is
ἐστὶν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

kingdom
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

like?
ὁμοία (homoia)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3664: Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar.

To what
τίνι (tini)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

can I compare
ὁμοιώσω (homoiōsō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3666: To make like, liken; I compare. From homoios; to assimilate, i.e. Compare; passively, to become similar.

it?
αὐτήν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Gospels: Luke 13:18 He said What is the Kingdom (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 13:17
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