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

MARK 4:30KJV
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Mark 4:30 (KJV)

What does Mark 4:30 mean?

Mark 4:30 shows Jesus asking his listeners how he should describe the kingdom of God, inviting them to think about what kind of comparison or picture might help them understand it. Jesus is preparing his audience for a teaching moment by raising a question about how best to explain something as profound as God’s kingdom.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd, including his disciples, as he often did when teaching in parables. The question signals that he is about to use a comparison or story to explain what the kingdom of God is like. By asking how to compare the kingdom, Jesus highlights that it is not easy to describe directly, so he will use a familiar image or story to make it clearer.

The Greek behind Mark 4:30

  • βασιλεία (basileia) — "kingdom": This word refers to a reign or rule, not just a physical place. Here, it points to God's active rule or authority, which is central to Jesus’ teaching.
  • παραβολή (parabolē) — "comparison" or "parable": This term means a comparison, illustration, or story used to explain a deeper truth. Jesus is signaling that he will use a parable to help people grasp the nature of God's kingdom.
  • ὁμοιόω (homoioō) — "liken": This word means to make something like or to compare. Jesus is searching for an image that will help his listeners understand something abstract by relating it to something familiar.

Why Mark 4:30 matters

  • Mark 4:30 shows that Jesus often used questions to engage his listeners and prepare them for deeper teaching, rather than just giving direct answers.
  • The verse highlights that the kingdom of God is not easily explained in straightforward terms, so Jesus uses parables to make spiritual truths more accessible.
  • This verse sets up the famous parable of the mustard seed, showing that Jesus wants his audience to think carefully about what the kingdom of God is really like, rather than assuming they already understand.

Where else these words appear

“compare” Greek G3846 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 20:15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

“liken” Greek G3666 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
  • Matthew 13:24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
  • Luke 13:18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

“what” Greek G4169 · used in 33 verses

  • Matthew 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
  • Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
  • John 18:32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

“comparison” Greek G3850 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
  • Matthew 24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
  • Luke 8:9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?