Luke 13:20
What does Luke 13:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 13:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 13:20 means
Jesus again poses a similar rhetorical question about the kingdom of God, asking, "Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?" This reiteration signals that another parable is forthcoming, intended to provide a complementary insight into the kingdom's nature. It re-engages the listeners and prepares them for a fresh analogy that will further illuminate the mysterious yet powerful working of God's reign among humanity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And again he said, What is the kingdom of God like?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And again he said, `To what shall I liken the reign of God?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And again he said: Whereunto shall I esteem the kingdom of God to be like?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And again he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom ofGod?
Context
Having just explained the kingdom's external growth through the parable of the mustard seed in verse 19, Jesus immediately re-engages His audience with the same introductory question. This repetition indicates that He is about to offer a second, distinct, yet complementary illustration of the kingdom of God. This rhetorical device prepares the listener for the next parable, which will focus on the kingdom's internal, pervasive influence.
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.
v.20This passage
v.21It is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.
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