Mark 4:30

30 Then Jesus said, "How can I show you what the kingdom of God is like? What story can I use to explain 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.

Mark 4:30 In-Context

28 By itself the earth produces grain. First the plant grows, then the head, and then all the grain in the head.

29 When the grain is ready, the farmer cuts it, because this is the harvest time."

30 Then Jesus said, "How can I show you what the kingdom of God is like? What story can I use to explain it?

31 The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, the smallest seed you plant in the ground.

32 But when planted, this seed grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants. It produces large branches, and the wild birds can make nests in its shade."