Mark 4:30

30 And he said, To what thing shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what parable shall we comparison 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 [by his own working/by his own will] maketh fruit, first the grass, afterward the ear, and after full fruit in the ear [afterward full fruit in the ear].

29 And when of itself it hath brought forth fruit, at once [anon] he sendeth a sickle, for reaping time is come.

30 And he said, To what thing shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what parable shall we comparison it?

31 As a corn of mustard seed, which when it is sown in the earth, is less than all seeds that be in the earth;

32 and when it is sprung up, it waxeth into a tree, and is made greater than all herbs [and when it is sown, it waxeth into a tree, and is made more than all worts, or herbs]; and it maketh great branches, so that [the] birds of heaven may dwell [be able to dwell] under the shadow thereof.