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Luke 13:18 Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?
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What shall I compare it to?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then Jesus said, “What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He was saying, "To what is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I liken it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Therefore He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Therefore, He was saying, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So this led Him to say, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said, therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like, and what can I compare it to?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said, therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like, and what can I compare it to? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jesus said, "What is God's kingdom like? What can I compare it with? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What can I compare it to?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jesus asked, "What is the Kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So Jesus went on to say, "What is the kingdom of God like? What can I compare it to? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jesus asked, ?What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Thus Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? To what should I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, "What is the Kingdom of God like? And to what can I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then said he, To what is the kingdom of God like? and to what shall I resemble it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />This prompted Him to say, "What is the Kingdom of God like? and to what shall I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said, “What is God’s Kingdom like? To what shall I compare it? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He said, “To what is the Kingdom of God like? And to what will I liken it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He was saying, "To what is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I liken it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he said, 'To what is the reign of God like? and to what shall I liken it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he said, To what is the kingdom of God like? and to what shall I liken it?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He said therefore: To what is the kingdom of God like, and whereunto shall I resemble it? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And so he said: “To what is the kingdom of God similar, and to what figure shall I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then he said, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what should I compare it?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Jesus said, To what is the kingdom of God like? and to what shall I liken it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/13.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But Yeshua said, “What is the Kingdom of God like and to what shall I compare it?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/13.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Then he said: To what is the kingdom of God like; and to what shall I liken it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/13.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />Then He said, <FR>To what is the kingdom of God like? and to what shall I liken it?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/13.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Then said he, To what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/13.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Then he said, what does the kingdom of God resemble? to what shall I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />This prompted Him to say, "What is the Kingdom of God like? and to what shall I compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/13.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And He said, <FR>"To what is the Kingdom of God like? and to what shall I liken it?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/13.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Then said He, <FR>To what is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/13-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=5657" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/13.htm">The Parable of the Mustard Seed</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17</span>When Jesus said this, all His adversaries were humiliated. And the whole crowd rejoiced at all the glorious things He was doing. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">Then</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: Elegen (V-IIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">Jesus asked,</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Tini (IPro-DNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">“What</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/932.htm" title="932: basileia (N-NFS) -- From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.">kingdom</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God</a> <a href="/greek/3664.htm" title="3664: homoia (Adj-NFS) -- Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar.">like?</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tini (IPro-DNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">To what</a> <a href="/greek/3666.htm" title="3666: homoiōsō (V-FIA-1S) -- To make like, liken; I compare. From homoios; to assimilate, i.e. Compare; passively, to become similar.">can I compare</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēn (PPro-AF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">it?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">19</span>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.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-31.htm">Matthew 13:31-32</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/4-30.htm">Mark 4:30-32</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-10.htm">Daniel 4:10-12</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/17-22.htm">Ezekiel 17:22-24</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/31-3.htm">Ezekiel 31:3-9</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-2.htm">Isaiah 2:2-3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-9.htm">Isaiah 11:9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-21.htm">Isaiah 60:21-22</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/72-16.htm">Psalm 72:16-17</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Psalm 80:8-11</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-3.htm">Jeremiah 23:3-4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-12.htm">Jeremiah 31:12</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/14-5.htm">Hosea 14:5-7</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/8-23.htm">Zechariah 8:23</a></span><br />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.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/14-10.htm">Zechariah 14:10-11</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then said he, To what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?</p><p class="hdg">Unto.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/13-20.htm">Luke 13:20</a></b></br> And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/7-31.htm">Luke 7:31</a></b></br> And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/2-13.htm">Lamentations 2:13</a></b></br> 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 <i>is</i> great like the sea: who can heal thee?</p><p class="hdg">the kingdom.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/17-21.htm">Luke 17:21</a></b></br> Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/4-26.htm">Mark 4:26,30</a></b></br> And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Compare</a> <a href="/luke/7-31.htm">Comparison</a> <a href="/luke/13-14.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/luke/12-32.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/luke/7-31.htm">Liken</a> <a href="/matthew/14-8.htm">Prompted</a> <a href="/luke/12-32.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/luke/7-32.htm">Resemble</a> <a href="/luke/7-31.htm">Whereunto</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/13-20.htm">Compare</a> <a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Comparison</a> <a href="/luke/13-22.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/luke/13-20.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/luke/13-20.htm">Liken</a> <a href="/john/13-2.htm">Prompted</a> <a href="/luke/13-20.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/john/8-55.htm">Resemble</a> <a href="/luke/13-20.htm">Whereunto</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/13-1.htm">Jesus preaches repentance upon the punishment of the Galilaeans and others.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/13-6.htm">The fruitless fig tree may not stand.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/13-10.htm">He heals the crooked woman;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/13-18.htm">shows the powerful working of the word, by the parable of the grain of mustard seed, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/13-20.htm">and of leaven;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/13-22.htm">exhorts to enter in at the strait gate;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/13-31.htm">and reproves Herod and Jerusalem.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then Jesus asked,</b><br>This phrase introduces a teaching moment from Jesus, often seen in the Gospels. Jesus frequently used questions to engage His audience, prompting them to think deeply about spiritual truths. This method of teaching was common among rabbis of the time, encouraging listeners to explore the meaning behind the questions.<p><b>“What is the kingdom of God like?</b><br>The "kingdom of God" is a central theme in Jesus' teachings, referring to God's sovereign rule and reign. It encompasses both a present reality and a future fulfillment. In the context of first-century Judaism, the kingdom was often expected to be a political or military dominion. However, Jesus redefines it as a spiritual kingdom, characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (<a href="/romans/14-17.htm">Romans 14:17</a>).<p><b>To what can I compare it?</b><br>Jesus often used parables and comparisons to illustrate complex spiritual truths in relatable terms. By asking this question, He invites His audience to consider the nature of God's kingdom in a way that challenges their preconceived notions. This method of teaching through analogy was effective in conveying deeper meanings and inviting personal reflection.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching about the nature of the Kingdom of God. His teachings often use parables and metaphors to convey deep spiritual truths.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_kingdom_of_god.htm">The Kingdom of God</a></b><br>A central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing God's sovereign rule and reign, both in the present and future. It is a spiritual kingdom that grows and expands in the hearts of believers.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_audience.htm">The Audience</a></b><br>While not explicitly mentioned in this verse, Jesus often spoke to a diverse group, including His disciples, religious leaders, and the general public, each with varying levels of understanding and acceptance of His message.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_kingdom_of_god.htm">Understanding the Kingdom of God</a></b><br>The Kingdom of God is not a physical realm but a spiritual reality that begins in the hearts of believers and expands through the work of the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_small_beginnings.htm">The Power of Small Beginnings</a></b><br>Just as a mustard seed starts small but grows large, the Kingdom of God often begins in seemingly insignificant ways but has a profound and far-reaching impact.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_patience_in_growth.htm">Faith and Patience in Growth</a></b><br>Believers are called to have faith in the growth of God's Kingdom, trusting that God is at work even when progress seems slow or invisible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/active_participation_in_the_kingdom.htm">Active Participation in the Kingdom</a></b><br>Christians are invited to actively participate in the expansion of God's Kingdom through evangelism, discipleship, and living out Kingdom values in their daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Hope in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The Kingdom of God is a reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty and the hope of His eternal reign, encouraging believers to live with an eternal perspective.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_'smallest'_seed_in_luke_13_18-19_err.htm">Luke 13:18–19: Does referring to the mustard seed as the “smallest” of all seeds undermine Jesus’ illustration when modern botany shows smaller seeds exist? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_judge_without_full_story.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'More will be given'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_bethlehem's_biblical_role.htm">What was the purpose of Jesus being anointed?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_call_mustard_seed_smallest_in_bible.htm">Why does the Bible suggest the mustard seed is the smallest seed when it is not?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/luke/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18-21) <span class= "bld">Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like?</span>--See Notes on <a href="/context/matthew/13-31.htm" title="Another parable put he forth to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:">Matthew 13:31-33</a>. 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.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 18-21.</span> - <span class="accented">The</span> <span class="accented">Lord, is two little prophetic parables tells the people how strangely and mightily his religion would spread over the earth.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?</span> 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/13-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Then</span><br /><span class="grk">οὖν</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Jesus] asked,</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἔλεγεν</span> <span class="translit">(Elegen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“What</span><br /><span class="grk">Τίνι</span> <span class="translit">(Tini)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστὶν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡ</span> <span class="translit">(hē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">kingdom</span><br /><span class="grk">βασιλεία</span> <span class="translit">(basileia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_932.htm">Strong's 932: </a> </span><span class="str2">From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of God</span><br /><span class="grk">Θεοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(Theou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> </span><span class="str2">A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like?</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁμοία</span> <span class="translit">(homoia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3664.htm">Strong's 3664: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">To what</span><br /><span class="grk">τίνι</span> <span class="translit">(tini)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can I compare</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁμοιώσω</span> <span class="translit">(homoiōsō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3666.htm">Strong's 3666: </a> </span><span class="str2">To make like, liken; I compare. From homoios; to assimilate, i.e. Compare; passively, to become similar.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it?</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτήν</span> <span class="translit">(autēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/13-18.htm">Luke 13:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/13-18.htm">Luke 13:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/13-18.htm">Luke 13:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/13-18.htm">Luke 13:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/13-18.htm">Luke 13:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/13-18.htm">Luke 13:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/13-18.htm">Luke 13:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/13-18.htm">Luke 13:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/13-18.htm">Luke 13:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/13-18.htm">Luke 13:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/13-18.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 13:18 He said What is the Kingdom (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/13-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 13:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 13:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/13-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 13:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 13:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>