Mark 4:30

Authorized King James Version

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And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

Original Language Analysis

Καὶ And G2532
Καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἔλεγεν he said G3004
ἔλεγεν he said
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 2 of 14
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τίνι Whereunto G5101
τίνι Whereunto
Strong's: G5101
Word #: 3 of 14
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ὁμοιώσωμεν shall we liken G3666
ὁμοιώσωμεν shall we liken
Strong's: G3666
Word #: 4 of 14
to assimilate, i.e., compare; passively, to become similar
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείαν the kingdom G932
βασιλείαν the kingdom
Strong's: G932
Word #: 6 of 14
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 8 of 14
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ἢ or G2228
ἢ or
Strong's: G2228
Word #: 9 of 14
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
ἐν with G1722
ἐν with
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 10 of 14
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
ποὶα what G4169
ποὶα what
Strong's: G4169
Word #: 11 of 14
individualizing interrogative (of character) what sort of, or (of number) which one
παραβολῇ comparison G3850
παραβολῇ comparison
Strong's: G3850
Word #: 12 of 14
a similitude ("parable"), i.e., (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying a moral), apothegm or adage
παραβάλωμεν shall we compare G3846
παραβάλωμεν shall we compare
Strong's: G3846
Word #: 13 of 14
to throw alongside, i.e., (reflexively) to reach a place, or (figuratively) to liken
αὐτὴν it G846
αὐτὴν it
Strong's: G846
Word #: 14 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis & Commentary

Jesus introduces final parable: 'Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?' The rhetorical questions emphasize kingdom's uniqueness—difficult to capture in human analogies. The plural 'we' includes hearers in reflection. This introduces the mustard seed parable, illustrating kingdom's small beginnings and great culmination. The humble question-approach demonstrates pedagogical wisdom—engaging hearers' minds rather than imposing answers. Jesus consistently uses familiar images (seeds, soil, harvest) to illuminate heavenly realities, making divine mysteries accessible while maintaining their profundity.

Historical Context

Rabbinic teachers regularly used comparative formulas: 'The kingdom is like...' or 'What is it like? It is like...' Jesus adopts and perfects this method. The question acknowledges kingdom's transcendence—earthly comparisons illuminate but never fully capture heavenly realities. Jewish expectations anticipated visible, political messianic kingdom; Jesus redefines it through parables emphasizing hidden growth, small beginnings, and future consummation. Early church struggled to explain this to Jewish audiences expecting different kingdom manifestation. Church history wrestles with tensions between kingdom's 'already' (inaugurated) and 'not yet' (consummated) aspects.

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