Mark 4:30
New International Version
Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?

New Living Translation
Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?

English Standard Version
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?

Berean Standard Bible
Then He asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it?

Berean Literal Bible
And He was saying, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we present it?

King James Bible
And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

New King James Version
Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?

New American Standard Bible
And He was saying, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?

NASB 1995
And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?

NASB 1977
And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?

Legacy Standard Bible
And He was saying, “How shall we compare the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?

Amplified Bible
And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate and explain it?

Christian Standard Bible
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And He said: “How can we illustrate the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it?

American Standard Version
And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?

Contemporary English Version
Finally, Jesus said: What is God's kingdom like? What story can I use to explain it?

English Revised Version
And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jesus asked, "How can we show what the kingdom of God is like? To what can we compare it?

Good News Translation
"What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like?" asked Jesus. "What parable shall we use to explain it?

International Standard Version
He was also saying, "How can we show what the kingdom of God is like, or what parable can we use to describe it?

Majority Standard Bible
Then He asked, ?To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we illustrate it?

NET Bible
He also asked, "To what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to present it?

New Heart English Bible
And he said, "To what will we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what parable will we use for it?

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

Weymouth New Testament
Another saying of His was this: "How are we to picture the Kingdom of God? or by what figure of speech shall we represent it?

World English Bible
He said, “How will we liken God’s Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And He said, “To what may we liken the Kingdom of God, or in what allegory may we compare it?

Berean Literal Bible
And He was saying, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we present it?

Young's Literal Translation
And he said, 'To what may we liken the reign of God, or in what simile may we compare it?

Smith's Literal Translation
And he said, To what should we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable should we hold it forth?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what parable shall we compare it?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said: “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or to what parable should we compare it?

New American Bible
He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it?

New Revised Standard Version
He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said, To what shall we compare the kingdom of God? and with what parable shall we picture it?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he said, “to what shall we compare the Kingdom of God and with what parable shall we illustrate it?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or, by what similitude shall we illustrate it?

Godbey New Testament
And He said, To what may we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable may we present it?

Haweis New Testament
And he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God, and under what parabolic figure shall I represent it?

Mace New Testament
Again he said, to what shall we compare the state of the gospel? or by what parable shall we represent it?

Weymouth New Testament
Another saying of His was this: "How are we to picture the Kingdom of God? or by what figure of speech shall we represent it?

Worrell New Testament
And He said, "How shall we liken the Kingdom of God, or in what parable shall we set it forth?

Worsley New Testament
And He said, To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or by what similitude shall we represent it?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
29And as soon as the grain is ripe, he swings the sickle, because the harvest has come.” 30Then He asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds sown upon the earth.…

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.”

Luke 13:18-19
Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it? / It 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.”

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.’”

Matthew 17:20
“Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Luke 17:6
And the Lord answered, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

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 11:1-10
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, ...

Psalm 72:16-19
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. / Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. ...

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.

Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.

Zechariah 4:10
For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.”

Matthew 21:43
Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.

Luke 19:11-27
While the people were listening to this, Jesus proceeded to tell them a parable, because He was near Jerusalem and they thought the kingdom of God would appear imminently. / So He said, “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to lay claim to his kingship and then return. / Beforehand, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said. ...

John 12:24
Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

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?

Matthew 11:16
But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

Luke 13:18,20,21
Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? …

Jump to Previous
Clear Compare Comparison Describe Figure Forth Kingdom Liken Parable Picture Present Reign Represent Simile Speech Story Use Whereunto
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Clear Compare Comparison Describe Figure Forth Kingdom Liken Parable Picture Present Reign Represent Simile Speech Story Use Whereunto
Mark 4
1. The parable of the sower,
14. and the meaning thereof.
21. We must communicate the light of our knowledge to others.
26. The parable of the seed growing secretly;
30. and of the mustard seed.
35. Jesus stills the storm on the sea.














Again He said
This phrase indicates a continuation of Jesus' teaching, emphasizing His role as a teacher and His commitment to revealing divine truths. The Greek word for "said" is "λέγει" (legei), which is in the present tense, suggesting an ongoing action. This reflects Jesus' continuous effort to communicate the mysteries of the kingdom to His disciples and the crowd. Historically, Jesus often used parables as a method to engage His audience, making profound truths accessible through simple stories.

To what can we compare
The use of comparison is a common rhetorical device in Jesus' teachings. The Greek word "ὁμοιώσωμεν" (homoiōsōmen) implies making a likeness or analogy. This invites the listener to engage in active contemplation, drawing connections between the known and the unknown. In a historical context, rabbis frequently used comparisons to explain complex theological concepts, and Jesus follows this tradition to elucidate the nature of God's kingdom.

the kingdom of God?
The "kingdom of God" is a central theme in Jesus' ministry. The Greek term "βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ" (basileia tou Theou) refers to God's sovereign rule and reign. This concept is not merely a future hope but a present reality that Jesus inaugurated. From a scriptural perspective, the kingdom of God encompasses both a spiritual reign in the hearts of believers and a future physical manifestation. It is a dynamic and transformative force that challenges earthly kingdoms and values.

With what parable
The word "parable" comes from the Greek "παραβολή" (parabolē), meaning a placing beside or a comparison. Parables are accounts with a dual meaning, designed to reveal truths to those open to understanding while concealing them from those who are not. Jesus' use of parables was strategic, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah about speaking in ways that would be heard but not understood by all (Isaiah 6:9-10).

shall we present it?
The phrase "shall we present" translates the Greek "θῶμεν" (thōmen), which implies setting forth or laying out. This suggests an intentional act of revealing or displaying something significant. Jesus is inviting His listeners to consider the kingdom of God through a new lens, using parables as a means to unfold its mysteries. This approach encourages active participation and reflection, urging the audience to seek deeper understanding and insight.

(30) With what comparison shall we compare it?--Literally, By what parable shall we set it forth? The question which introduces the parable is in St. Mark and St. Luke, but not in St. Matthew. It gives us the impression of a question asked, in order to put the minds of the hearers on the stretch, so that they might welcome the answer.

Verses 30-32. - Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it! In the first clause of this verse the best authorities give πῶς for τίνι, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? and in the second clause, instead of the Greek of which the Authorized Version is the rendering, the best-approved reading is (τίνι αὐτὴν παραβολῇ θῶμεν), in what parable shall we set it forth? Our Lord thus stimulates the intellect of his hearers, by making them his associates, as it were, in the search for appropriate similitudes (see Dr. Morison, in loc.). The kingdom of God, that is, his Church on earth, is like a grain of mustard seed. By this image our Lord shows the great power, fertility, and extension of the Church; inasmuch as it started from a very small and apparently insignificant beginning, and spread itself over the whole world. It is not literally and absolutely true that the grain of mustard seed is less than all seeds. There are other seeds which are less than it. But the expression may readily be allowed when we compare the smallness of the seed with the greatness of the results produced by it. It is one of the least of all seeds. And so the preaching of the Gospel and the establishment of the Church was one of the smallest of beginnings. Perhaps the well-known pungency of the seed of the mustard plant may suggest the quickening, stimulating power of the Gospel when it takes root in the heart. The mustard plant shoots out large branches, which are used as fuel in some countries, quite large enough for shadow for the birds. A traveler in South America says that it grows to so large a tree upon the slopes of the mountains of Chili that he could ride under its branches.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

He 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.

“To what
Πῶς (Pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

can we compare
ὁμοιώσωμεν (homoiōsōmen)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 3666: To make like, liken; I compare. From homoios; to assimilate, i.e. Compare; passively, to become similar.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative 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
βασιλείαν (basileian)
Noun - Accusative 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.

With
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

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

parable
παραβολῇ (parabolē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3850: From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.

shall we present
θῶμεν (thōmen)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 5087: To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.

it?
αὐτὴν (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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