Luke 13:20
And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 9
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
2 of 9
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
Τίνι
Whereunto
G5101
Τίνι
Whereunto
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
4 of 9
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ὁμοιώσω
shall I liken
G3666
ὁμοιώσω
shall I liken
Strong's:
G3666
Word #:
5 of 9
to assimilate, i.e., compare; passively, to become similar
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 9
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
G932
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
Historical Context
Rabbinic teaching frequently employed parables (mashalim) to illustrate Torah principles. Jesus followed this tradition but with unique authority—His parables didn't merely illustrate existing truth but revealed new kingdom realities. The dual parables here (mustard seed and leaven) form a pair, a common rabbinic technique using parallel illustrations to reinforce a principle. Both depict something small transforming into something large, emphasizing the kingdom's irresistible growth despite humble origins.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Jesus use multiple parables to describe the kingdom rather than a single exhaustive explanation?
- What does Jesus' use of common, everyday images teach about God's desire to make Himself known?
- How does the rhetorical question invite hearers into active engagement with the truth rather than passive reception?
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Analysis & Commentary
And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? This brief rhetorical question introduces the second kingdom parable in this section. The phrase "and again" (πάλιν, palin) indicates Jesus immediately offers another comparison, suggesting that no single parable exhausts the kingdom's richness—multiple perspectives illuminate different facets of the same reality.
The question "Whereunto shall I liken...?" (Τίνι ὁμοιώσω...; Tini homoiōsō...?) engages hearers, inviting active participation rather than passive listening. Jesus' pedagogical method involves questions, parables, and illustrations drawn from everyday life—making profound theological truths accessible through concrete imagery. This approach reveals divine wisdom: eternal realities communicated through temporal analogies, heavenly truths illustrated by earthly stories.
The emphasis on likenesses reveals both the necessity and limitation of human language about divine realities. The kingdom of God transcends human categories, yet God graciously accommodates our understanding by using familiar images—seeds, yeast, vineyards, banquets. Each parable captures one aspect; collectively they reveal the kingdom's multifaceted nature.