18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?
19
It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.”
20
Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?
21
It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a]of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
The Narrow Door
22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.
23
Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them,
24
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.
25
Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
26
“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’
27
“But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’
28
“There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.
29
People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
30
Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem
31 At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
32
He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’
33
In any case, I must press on today and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
34
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.
35
Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’[b]”