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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 4:30 Then He asked, "To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/4-30.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/41_Mrk_04_30.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 4:30 - The Parable of the Mustard Seed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then He asked, To what can we compare the kingdom of God? 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What story should I use to illustrate it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/mark/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/mark/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then He asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He was saying, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we present it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/mark/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/mark/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/mark/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And He was saying, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/mark/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And He said, &#8220How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/mark/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/mark/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And He was saying, “How shall we compare the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/mark/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate <i>and</i> explain it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/mark/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/mark/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And He said: &#8220How can we illustrate the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/mark/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/mark/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Finally, Jesus said: What is God's kingdom like? What story can I use to explain it? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/mark/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/mark/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jesus asked, "How can we show what the kingdom of God is like? To what can we compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/mark/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like?" asked Jesus. "What parable shall we use to explain it? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/mark/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He was also saying, "How can we show what the kingdom of God is like, or what parable can we use to describe it? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/mark/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then He asked, ?To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we illustrate it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/mark/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He also asked, "To what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to present it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/mark/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And he said, "To what will we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what parable will we use for it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/mark/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he said, To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/mark/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said, “How will we liken God’s Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/mark/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He said, “To what may we liken the Kingdom of God, or in what allegory may we compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He was saying, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we present it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/mark/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he said, 'To what may we liken the reign of God, or in what simile may we compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/mark/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he said, To what should we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable should we hold it forth?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/mark/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what parable shall we compare it? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/mark/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he said: “To what should we compare the kingdom of God? Or to what parable should we compare it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/mark/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He said, “To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use for it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/mark/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/mark/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said, To what shall we compare the kingdom of God? and with what parable shall we picture it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And he said, “to what shall we compare the Kingdom of God and with what parable shall we illustrate it?”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/mark/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or, by what similitude shall we illustrate it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/mark/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And He said, <FR>To what may we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable may we present it?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/mark/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God, and under what parabolic figure shall I represent it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/mark/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Again he said, to what shall we compare the state of the gospel? or by what parable shall we represent it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/mark/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And He said, <FR>"How shall we liken the Kingdom of God, or in what parable shall we set <i>it forth</i>?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/mark/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And He said, <FR>To what shall we compare the kingdom of God, or by what similitude shall we represent it?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/mark/4-30.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/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=1115" 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/mark/4.htm">The Parable of the Mustard Seed</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29</span>And as soon as the grain is ripe, he swings the sickle, because the harvest has come.” <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">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.">He asked,</a> <a href="/greek/4459.htm" title="4459: Pōs (Adv) -- Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!">“To what</a> <a href="/greek/3666.htm" title="3666: homoiōsōmen (V-ASA-1P) -- To make like, liken; I compare. From homoios; to assimilate, i.e. Compare; passively, to become similar.">can we compare</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- 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: basileian (N-AFS) -- 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/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than."></a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">With</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tini (IPro-DFS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/3850.htm" title="3850: parabolē (N-DFS) -- From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.">parable</a> <a href="/greek/5087.htm" title="5087: thōmen (V-ASA-1P) -- To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.">shall we present</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">31</span>It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds sown upon the earth.…<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="/luke/13-18.htm">Luke 13:18-19</a></span><br />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.”<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="/matthew/17-20.htm">Matthew 17:20</a></span><br />“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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-6.htm">Luke 17:6</a></span><br />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.<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/11-1.htm">Isaiah 11:1-10</a></span><br />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, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/72-16.htm">Psalm 72:16-19</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. / Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. ...<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="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Jeremiah 23:5-6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/4-10.htm">Zechariah 4:10</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-43.htm">Matthew 21:43</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-11.htm">Luke 19:11-27</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-24.htm">John 12:24</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?</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="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/11-16.htm">Matthew 11:16</a></b></br> But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/13-18.htm">Luke 13:18,20,21</a></b></br> Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/4-13.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/matthew/11-16.htm">Compare</a> <a href="/matthew/11-16.htm">Comparison</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-10.htm">Describe</a> <a href="/ezekiel/8-2.htm">Figure</a> <a href="/mark/4-29.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/mark/4-26.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/matthew/11-16.htm">Liken</a> <a href="/mark/4-13.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-15.htm">Picture</a> <a href="/mark/1-44.htm">Present</a> <a href="/mark/4-26.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/daniel/8-22.htm">Represent</a> <a href="/mark/4-13.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/matthew/26-73.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/mark/4-13.htm">Story</a> <a href="/mark/4-24.htm">Use</a> <a href="/matthew/11-16.htm">Whereunto</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/6-52.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/luke/7-31.htm">Compare</a> <a href="/luke/7-31.htm">Comparison</a> <a href="/luke/8-39.htm">Describe</a> <a href="/mark/7-17.htm">Figure</a> <a href="/mark/4-32.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/mark/6-23.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/luke/7-31.htm">Liken</a> <a href="/mark/4-34.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/romans/5-14.htm">Picture</a> <a href="/mark/8-9.htm">Present</a> <a href="/mark/9-1.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/galatians/3-20.htm">Represent</a> <a href="/mark/4-34.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/mark/7-17.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/mark/4-34.htm">Story</a> <a href="/mark/5-15.htm">Use</a> <a href="/luke/7-31.htm">Whereunto</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-1.htm">The parable of the sower,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-14.htm">and the meaning thereof.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-21.htm">We must communicate the light of our knowledge to others.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-26.htm">The parable of the seed growing secretly;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-30.htm">and of the mustard seed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/4-35.htm">Jesus stills the storm on the sea.</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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/mark/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/mark/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then He asked,</b><br>This phrase indicates a teaching moment initiated by Jesus. It reflects His method of engaging His audience through questions, prompting them to think deeply about spiritual truths. Jesus often used questions to lead His listeners to self-reflection and understanding, a common rabbinic technique of the time.<p><b>“To what can we compare the kingdom of God?</b><br>The kingdom of God is a central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing God's sovereign rule and reign. This question invites the audience to consider the nature and characteristics of God's kingdom. In the Jewish context, the kingdom was often associated with the hope of a messianic age, a time of peace and divine rule. Jesus' question challenges traditional expectations, encouraging His listeners to see the kingdom in a new light.<p><b>With what parable shall we present it?</b><br>Parables were a common teaching tool in ancient Jewish culture, used to convey complex truths through simple, relatable stories. By choosing to use a parable, Jesus is making the kingdom of God accessible to all, regardless of their level of understanding. This method also fulfills the prophecy of <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a>, where God speaks of people hearing but not understanding, seeing but not perceiving, highlighting the dual purpose of parables to reveal and conceal truth.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples and the crowd through parables. He is the one who poses the question about the kingdom of God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a></b><br>Although not explicitly mentioned in this verse, they are the primary audience of Jesus' teachings and parables, seeking to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_kingdom_of_god.htm">The Kingdom of God</a></b><br>The subject of Jesus' parable, representing God's sovereign rule and reign, both in the present spiritual sense and the future physical manifestation.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>The larger group of people who often gathered to hear Jesus teach, representing a diverse audience with varying levels of understanding and belief.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_kingdom.htm">Understanding the Kingdom</a></b><br>Jesus uses parables to reveal the nature of God's kingdom, which may not align with human expectations. Believers are encouraged to seek spiritual insight and understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/small_beginnings,_great_impact.htm">Small Beginnings, Great Impact</a></b><br>The kingdom of God often starts in small, seemingly insignificant ways but grows to have a profound impact. This encourages believers to value and invest in small acts of faith and obedience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_patience.htm">Faith and Patience</a></b><br>The growth of God's kingdom requires faith and patience. Believers are called to trust in God's timing and His sovereign plan, even when immediate results are not visible.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/active_participation.htm">Active Participation</a></b><br>As members of God's kingdom, believers are invited to actively participate in its growth through evangelism, discipleship, and service, trusting that God will bring the increase.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_gospel_of_the_kingdom.htm">What is the Gospel of the Kingdom about?</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/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/what_is_'mustard_seed_faith'.htm">What did Jesus mean by "mustard seed faith"?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/mark/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(30) <span class= "bld">With what comparison shall we compare it?</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">By what parable shall we set it forth?</span> 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.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/mark/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 30-32.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God?</span> or with what comparison shall we compare it! In the first clause of this verse the best authorities give <span class="greek">πῶς</span> for <span class="greek">τίνι</span>, <span class="accented">How shall we liken the kingdom of God</span>? and in the second clause, instead of the Greek of which the Authorized Version is the rendering, the best-approved reading is (<span class="greek">τίνι αὐτὴν παραβολῇ θῶμεν</span>), <span class="accented">in what parable shall we set it forth</span>? 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, <span class="accented">in loc.</span>). The kingdom of God, that is, his Church on earth, is <span class="cmt_word">like a grain of mustard seed</span>. 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/mark/4-30.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">Καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(Kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">He 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">“To what</span><br /><span class="grk">Πῶς</span> <span class="translit">(Pōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4459.htm">Strong's 4459: </a> </span><span class="str2">Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can we compare</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁμοιώσωμεν</span> <span class="translit">(homoiōsōmen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural<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">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὴν</span> <span class="translit">(tēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative 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">βασιλείαν</span> <span class="translit">(basileian)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative 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">With</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.</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 Feminine 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">parable</span><br /><span class="grk">παραβολῇ</span> <span class="translit">(parabolē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3850.htm">Strong's 3850: </a> </span><span class="str2">From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall we present</span><br /><span class="grk">θῶμεν</span> <span class="translit">(thōmen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5087.htm">Strong's 5087: </a> </span><span class="str2">To put, place, lay, set, fix, establish. A prolonged form of a primary theo to place.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it?</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτὴν</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/mark/4-30.htm">Mark 4:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/mark/4-30.htm">Mark 4:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/mark/4-30.htm">Mark 4:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/mark/4-30.htm">Mark 4:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/mark/4-30.htm">Mark 4:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/4-30.htm">Mark 4:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/4-30.htm">Mark 4:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/4-30.htm">Mark 4:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/mark/4-30.htm">Mark 4:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/mark/4-30.htm">Mark 4:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/mark/4-30.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 4:30 He said How will we liken (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/4-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 4:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 4:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/4-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 4:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 4:31" /></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>