Mark 4:30

30 And he said, `To what may we liken the reign of God, or in what simile may 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.

---

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 of itself doth the earth bear fruit, first a blade, afterwards an ear, afterwards full corn in the ear;

29 and whenever the fruit may yield itself, immediately he doth send forth the sickle, because the harvest hath come.'

30 And he said, `To what may we liken the reign of God, or in what simile may we compare it?

31 As a grain of mustard, which, whenever it may be sown on the earth, is less than any of the seeds that are on the earth;

32 and whenever it may be sown, it cometh up, and doth become greater than any of the herbs, and doth make great branches, so that under its shade the fowls of the heaven are able to rest.'