Mark 4:30

30 He also said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we compare 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Mark 4:30 In-Context

28 For the earth brings forth fruit of herself: first the blade, then the ear, after that the full grain in the ear.

29 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle because the harvest is come.

30 He also said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we compare it?

31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that are in the earth;

32 but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs and shoots out great branches, so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.