Mark 4:30

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

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

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Mark 4:30 in Other Translations

KJV

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

ESV

30 And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?

NLT

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

MSG

30 "How can we picture God's kingdom? What kind of story can we use?

CSB

30 And He said: "How can we illustrate the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to describe it?

Mark 4:30 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 4:30

And he said
Still continuing his discourse on this subject, and in order to convey to the minds of his disciples clearer ideas of the Gospel dispensation, the success of the Gospel, and the usefulness of their ministration of it, for their encouragement, how unpromising soever things might then be:

whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God, or with what comparison
shall we compare it?
It was usual with the Jewish doctors, when about to illustrate anything in a parabolical way to begin with such like questions; as, (hmwd rbdh hml) , "to what is this thing like" ^F4? when the answer is to such or such thing, as here.

FOOTNOTES:

F4 T. Hieros. Bava Bathra, fol. 16. 2. T. Bab. Zebachim, fol. 82. 1. & Sabbat, fol. 108. 1. & passim.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Mark 4:30 In-Context

28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.

29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

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

31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.

32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

Cross References 1

1. S Matthew 13:24