Luke 13:18
What does Luke 13:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 13:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 13:18 means
Jesus then began to describe the nature of God's kingdom, posing two rhetorical questions: "Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?" These questions signal an imminent parable, inviting His listeners to consider and understand profound spiritual truths through simple, relatable illustrations. He is preparing to reveal characteristics of the kingdom that might not be immediately obvious, especially concerning its growth and influence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then he said, What is the kingdom of God like? what comparison may I make of it?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he said, `To what is the reign of God like? and to what shall I liken it?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He said therefore: To what is the kingdom of God like, and whereunto shall I resemble it?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he said, To what is the kingdom ofGod like? and to what shall I liken it?
Context
Following the public shaming of His adversaries and the rejoicing of the crowd in verse 17, Jesus transitions from defending His actions to teaching about the nature of His authority and mission. This verse introduces a new section focused on the kingdom of God, using rhetorical questions to engage His audience and set the stage for two parables that will illustrate its unexpected growth and pervasive influence, further clarifying His redemptive work.
v.17And as he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame: and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
v.18This passage
v.19It is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his own garden; and it grew, and became a tree; and the birds of the heaven lodged in the branches thereof.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 7:31
Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation, and to what are they like?
- Mark 4:30
And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?
- Luke 17:21
neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you.
- Lamentations 2:13
What shall I testify unto thee? what shall I liken to thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? What shall I compare to thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Zion? For thy breach is great like the sea: who can heal thee?
- Matthew 13:31
Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
- Luke 13:20
And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
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