Luke 13:20
New International Version
Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?

New Living Translation
He also asked, “What else is the Kingdom of God like?

English Standard Version
And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

Berean Standard Bible
Again He asked, “To what can I compare the kingdom of God?

Berean Literal Bible
And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

King James Bible
And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

New King James Version
And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

New American Standard Bible
And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

NASB 1995
And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

NASB 1977
And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

Legacy Standard Bible
And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

Amplified Bible
And again He said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

Christian Standard Bible
Again he said, “What can I compare the kingdom of God to?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Again He said, “What can I compare the kingdom of God to?

American Standard Version
And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

Contemporary English Version
Then Jesus said, "What can I compare God's kingdom with?

English Revised Version
And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He asked again, "What can I compare the kingdom of God to?

Good News Translation
Again Jesus asked, "What shall I compare the Kingdom of God with?

International Standard Version
Again he said, "To what can I compare the kingdom of God?

Majority Standard Bible
Again He asked, ?To what can I compare the kingdom of God?

NET Bible
Again he said, "To what should I compare the kingdom of God?

New Heart English Bible
And again he said, "To what can I compare the Kingdom of God?

Webster's Bible Translation
And again he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

Weymouth New Testament
And again He said, "To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?

World English Bible
Again he said, “To what shall I compare God’s Kingdom?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And again He said, “To what will I liken the Kingdom of God?

Berean Literal Bible
And again He said, "To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

Young's Literal Translation
And again he said, 'To what shall I liken the reign of God?

Smith's Literal Translation
And again he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And again he said: Whereunto shall I esteem the kingdom of God to be like?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And again, he said: “To what figure shall I compare the kingdom of God?

New American Bible
Again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

New Revised Standard Version
And again he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Again Jesus said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Again, Yeshua said, “To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And again he said: To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

Godbey New Testament
And again He said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

Haweis New Testament
And again he said, To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

Mace New Testament
again he said, to what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

Weymouth New Testament
And again He said, "To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God?

Worrell New Testament
And again He said, "To what shall I liken the Kingdom of God?

Worsley New Testament
And again He said, To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Leaven
19It is like a mustard seed that a man tossed into his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” 20 Again He asked, “To what can I compare the kingdom of God? 21It is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.”…

Cross References
Matthew 13:33
He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.”

Mark 4:30-32
Then He asked, “To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it? / It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds sown upon the earth. / But after it is planted, it grows to be the largest of all garden plants and puts forth great branches, so that the birds of the air nest in its shade.”

Matthew 13:31-32
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. / Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Matthew 17:20
“Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 16:6
“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Galatians 5:9
A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough.

1 Corinthians 5:6-7
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough? / Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Matthew 13:24-30
Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. / But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. / When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. ...

Matthew 13:44
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Matthew 13:45-46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

Matthew 13:47-50
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish. / When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away. / So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ...

Daniel 2:34-35
As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them. / Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were shattered and became like chaff on the threshing floor in summer. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that had struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

Daniel 2:44
In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.

Ezekiel 17:22-24
This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will take a shoot from the lofty top of the cedar, and I will set it out. I will pluck a tender sprig from its topmost shoots, and I will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. / I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches. / Then all the trees of the field will know that I am the LORD. I bring the tall tree down and make the low tree tall. I dry up the green tree and make the withered tree flourish. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it.’”

Ezekiel 31:6
All the birds of the air nested in its branches, and all the beasts of the field gave birth beneath its boughs; all the great nations lived in its shade.


Treasury of Scripture

And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

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Compare Kingdom Liken Reign Whereunto
Luke 13
1. Jesus preaches repentance upon the punishment of the Galilaeans and others.
6. The fruitless fig tree may not stand.
10. He heals the crooked woman;
18. shows the powerful working of the word, by the parable of the grain of mustard seed,
20. and of leaven;
22. exhorts to enter in at the strait gate;
31. and reproves Herod and Jerusalem.














Again He asked
This phrase indicates a continuation of Jesus' teaching, emphasizing His persistent effort to convey the nature of the kingdom of God. The Greek word for "again" (πάλιν, palin) suggests repetition and reinforcement, highlighting the importance of the message. Jesus often used parables and questions to engage His audience, prompting them to think deeply about spiritual truths. This method of teaching was common in rabbinic tradition, where repetition served to ensure understanding and retention.

To what can I compare
Here, Jesus uses a rhetorical question to invite His listeners to ponder the nature of the kingdom of God. The Greek verb "compare" (ὁμοιόω, homoioō) means to liken or make similar, indicating that Jesus is about to use a metaphor or analogy. This approach is consistent with His use of parables, which are earthly accounts with heavenly meanings. By asking this question, Jesus encourages His audience to consider the characteristics and values of God's kingdom, contrasting them with worldly kingdoms.

the kingdom of God
This phrase is central to Jesus' teaching and mission. The "kingdom of God" (βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ, basileia tou Theou) refers to God's sovereign rule and reign, both in the present and future. It encompasses the spiritual realm where God's will is fulfilled and His authority is recognized. In the historical context, the Jewish people were anticipating a messianic kingdom that would restore Israel's national glory. However, Jesus redefined this expectation by presenting a kingdom characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). The kingdom of God is not limited to a physical location but is manifested wherever God's will is done, as seen in the lives of believers who submit to His lordship.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Again
πάλιν (palin)
Adverb
Strong's 3825: Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.

He asked,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“To what
Τίνι (Tini)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

can I compare
ὁμοιώσω (homoiōsō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3666: To make like, liken; I compare. From homoios; to assimilate, i.e. Compare; passively, to become similar.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

kingdom
βασιλείαν (basileian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

of God?
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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Luke 13:19
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