Mark 4:30

Amplified Bible

And He said, "How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate and explain it?

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God,

King James Version (1611)
And he said, Wherunto shal we liken the kingdome of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?

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

English Standard Version
And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?

New American Standard Bible
And He was saying, "How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?

New Century Version
Then Jesus said, "How can I show you what the kingdom of God is like? What story can I use to explain it?

New American Standard Bible (1995)
And He said, "How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?

Legacy Standard Bible
And He was saying, "How shall we compare the kingdom of God, or by what parable shall we present it?

Berean Standard Bible
Then He asked, "To what can we compare the kingdom of God? With what parable shall we present it?

Contemporary English Version
Finally, Jesus said: What is God's kingdom like? What story can I use to explain it?

Complete Jewish Bible
Yeshua also said, "With what can we compare the Kingdom of God? What illustration should we use to describe it?

Darby Translation
And he said, How should we liken the kingdom of God, or with what comparison should we compare it?

Easy-to-Read Version
Then Jesus said, "What can I use to show you what God's kingdom is like? What story can I use to explain it?

Geneva Bible (1587)
He saide moreouer, Whereunto shall wee liken the kingdome of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

George Lamsa Translation
And he said, To what shall we compare the kingdom of God? and with what parable shall we picture it?

Good News Translation
"What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like?" asked Jesus. "What parable shall we use to explain it?

Lexham English Bible
And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or by what parable can we present it?

Literal Translation
And He said, To what shall we compare the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we compare it?

American Standard Version
And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?

Bible in Basic English
And he said, What picture may we give of the kingdom of God, or with what story may we make it clear?

Hebrew Names Version
He said, "How will we liken the kingdom of God? Or by what parable will we compare it?

International Standard Version
He was also saying, "How can we show what the kingdom of God is like, or what parable can we use to describe it?Matthew 13:31; Luke 13:18; Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14; 19:20;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
And he said, To what may we compare the kingdom of Aloha ? and with what comparison shall we compare it ?

Murdock Translation
And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? and with what similitude shall we compare it?

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And he sayde: Wherevnto shall we lyken the kyngdome of God? Or with what comparyson shall we compare it?

English Revised Version
And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?

World English Bible
He said, "How will we liken the kingdom of God? Or by what parable will we compare it?

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And he said, Whereto shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?

Weymouth's New Testament
Another saying of His was this: "How are we to picture the Kingdom of God? or by what figure of speech shall we represent it?

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And he seide, To what thing schulen we likne the kyngdom of God? or to what parable schulen we comparisoun it?

Update Bible Version
And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

New English Translation
He also asked, "To what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable can we use to present it?

New King James Version
Matthew 13:31,32; Luke 13:18,19">[xr] Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?

New Living Translation
Jesus said, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it?

New Life Bible
Jesus said, "In what way can we show what the holy nation of God is like? Or what picture-story can we use to help you understand?

New Revised Standard
He also said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And he was saying - How shall we liken the kingdom of God, or, in what parable, shall we put it?

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said: To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? or to what parable shall we compare it?

Revised Standard Version
And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it?

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And he sayde: where vnto shall we lyke the kyngdome of God? or with what copareson shall we copare it?

Young's Literal Translation
And he said, `To what may we liken the reign of God, or in what simile may we compare it?

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And he sayde: Where vnto wyl we licken the kyngdome of God? Or by what symilitude wyl we compare it?

Mace New Testament (1729)
Again he said, to what shall we compare the state of the gospel? or by what parable shall we represent it?

THE MESSAGE
"How can we picture God's kingdom? What kind of story can we use? It's like a pine nut. When it lands on the ground it is quite small as seeds go, yet once it is planted it grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches. Eagles nest in it."

Simplified Cowboy Version
Jesus said, "How can I tell you about the Boss's outfit? What kind of cowboy tale will help you understand?

Contextual Overview

²¹He said to them, "A lamp is not brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Is it not [brought in] to be put on the lampstand? ²²"For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been kept secret, but that it would come to light [that is, things are hidden only temporarily, until the appropriate time comes for them to be known]. ²³"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words." ²⁴Then He said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides. ²⁵"For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him." ²⁶Then He said, "The kingdom of God is like a man who throws seed on the ground; ²⁷and he goes to bed at night and gets up every day, and [in the meantime] the seed sprouts and grows; how [it does this], he does not know. ²⁸"The earth produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head [of grain], then the mature grain in the head. ²⁹"But when the crop ripens, he immediately puts in the sickle [to reap], because [the time for] the harvest has come." ³⁰And He said, "How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate and explain it?

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Lamentations 2:13, Matthew 11:16, Luke 13:18, Luke 13:20, Luke 13:21

Reciprocal: Matthew 13:24 - The kingdom Matthew 13:31 - The kingdom Luke 7:31 - Whereunto Luke 10:9 - The kingdom Acts 5:24 - this

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And he said,.... Still continuing his discourse on this subject, and in order to convey to the minds of his disciples clearer ideas of the Gospel dispensation, the success of the Gospel, and the usefulness of their ministration of it, for their encouragement, how unpromising soever things might then be:

whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God, or with what comparison shall we compare it? It was usual with the Jewish doctors, when about to illustrate anything in a parabolical way to begin with such like questions; as, למה הדבר דומה, "to what is this thing like" d? when the answer is to such or such thing, as here.

d T. Hieros. Bava Bathra, fol. 16. 2. T. Bab. Zebachim, fol. 82. 1. & Sabbat, fol. 108. 1. & passim.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Whereunto shall we liken ... - This shows the great solicitude which Jesus had to adapt his instructions to the capacity of his disciples. He sought out the most plain and striking illustrations - an example which should be followed by all the ministers of the gospel. At the same time that the instructions of the pulpit should be dignified as our Saviour’s always were they should be adapted to the capacity of the audience and easily understood. To do this the following things are necessary in a minister:

1.“Humility.” A freedom from a desire to shine, and to astonish the world by the splendor of his talents, and by his learning and eloquence.

1. “Good sense.” A satisfaction in being understood.
2. Acquaintance with the habits of thought and manner of speaking among the people. To do this, frequent contact with them is necessary.
3. “A good sound education.” It is the people of ignorance, with some smattering of learning, and with a desire to confound and astonish people by the use of unintelligible words. and by the introduction of matter that is wholly unconnected with the subject, that most often shoot over the heads of the people. Preachers of humility, good sense, and education are content with being understood, and free from the affectation of saying things to amaze and confound their auditors.

The kingdom of God - See the notes at Matthew 3:2.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 30. Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? — How amiable is this carefulness of Jesus! How instructive to the preachers of his word! He is not solicitous to seek fine turns of eloquence to charm the minds of his auditors, nor to draw such descriptions and comparisons as may surprise them: but studies only to make himself understood; to instruct to advantage; to give true ideas of faith and holiness; and to find out such expressions as may render necessary truths easy and intelligible to the meanest capacities. The very wisdom of God seems to be at a loss to find out expressions low enough for the slow apprehensions of men. How dull and stupid is the creature! How wise and good the Creator! And how foolish the preacher who uses fine and hard words in his preaching, which, though admired by the shallow, convey no instruction to the multitude.