Luke 13:20
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 13:20
20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
Chapter Context
Luke 13 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, fellowship, worship. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-35: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 13:20
20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Word Studies
- God: Θεός (Theos) G2316 - God