Mark 4:30-32 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?… I. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WAS SMALL AT ITS ESTABLISHMENT. 1. Its numbers were limited. 2. Its subjects were destitute of resources of a visible kind. 3. Its smallness only disguised its real resources. The Church's strength is not to be judged of by sense. II. IN THE END IT SHALL BE VERY GREAT. It soon grew among the Jews — was enlarged to embrace the Gentiles — was soon spread into all the world — is destined to a great enlargement — its magnitude will appear at the last day. (Expository Discourses.)The design of the parable is obvious; the underlying thought is simple and single. A little germ and a large result, a small commencement and a conspicuous growth, an obscure and tiny granule followed by a vigorous vegetation, the "least of all seeds," and "the greatest of all herbs," such is the avowed contrast of the parable. Is it not so when we glance at the history of real religion? I. In the WORLD. II. In COMMUNITIES. III. In the individual SOUL. (James Hamilton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?WEB: He said, "How will we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what parable will we illustrate it? |