Luke 13:18

KJV

¶ Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} said he {G3004}, Unto what {G5101} is {G2076} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316} like {G3664}? and {G2532} whereunto {G5101} shall I resemble {G3666} it {G846}?

Complete Jewish Bible

So he went on to say, “What is the Kingdom of God like? With what will we compare it?

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? To what can I compare it?

American Standard Version

He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 13:18 records Jesus' pivotal rhetorical question, serving as an engaging introduction to His parables about the Kingdom of God. By asking "Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?", Jesus invites His audience to actively contemplate the mysterious yet profound nature of God's reign, preparing them for the subsequent illustrations of its humble beginnings and vast, transformative growth. This verse encapsulates Jesus' pedagogical brilliance, drawing listeners into the spiritual realities He proclaimed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Luke's Gospel, immediately following Jesus' healing of a crippled woman on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17). This miraculous act, which sparked controversy with the synagogue ruler, demonstrates the present power and authority of the Kingdom of God confronting religious legalism. Jesus' question in [Luke 13:18](/luke/13-18 "Luke 13:18 - Jesus Asks About the Kingdom") then transitions directly into the parables of the Mustard Seed [Luke 13:19](/luke/13-19 "Luke 13:19 - Parable of the Mustard Seed") and the Leaven [Luke 13:20-21](/luke/13-20-21 "Luke 13:20-21 - Parable of the Leaven"), which serve as direct answers to His inquiry. These parables illustrate the Kingdom's growth from small, inconspicuous beginnings to a pervasive and encompassing reality, providing a spiritual counterpoint to the earlier confrontation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the 1st-century Jewish world, the concept of the "Kingdom of God" (or "Kingdom of Heaven" in Matthew) was deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecy, often associated with a future, glorious, and overtly political reign of the Messiah that would overthrow Roman oppression and restore Israel's sovereignty. Jesus' teachings, however, consistently reoriented this expectation. He presented the Kingdom as both a present spiritual reality, inaugurated by His ministry [Luke 17:20-21](/luke/17-20-21 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God Is Within You"), and a future consummation. His use of parables was a common and effective teaching method in that culture, allowing complex truths to be conveyed in relatable, often agricultural or domestic, terms, inviting deeper reflection from those with "ears to hear" [Luke 8:8](/luke/8-8 "Luke 8:8 - Who Has Ears to Hear, Let Them Hear").
* **Key Themes:** Luke 13:18 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and Jesus' broader ministry. Firstly, it underscores the **Nature of the Kingdom of God**, emphasizing that its essence and operation are often contrary to human expectations, particularly those focused on earthly power or immediate, dramatic displays. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Growth from Humble Beginnings**, preparing the audience for the idea that God's work, though starting small (like Jesus' own ministry with a few disciples), will ultimately have an expansive and transformative impact, as seen in the subsequent parables. Finally, the verse exemplifies **Jesus' Masterful Teaching Method**, employing a rhetorical question to engage His audience, stimulate their curiosity, and prompt active participation in discerning spiritual truth, rather than merely passive reception of information. This Socratic approach encourages deeper understanding of the profound truths of God's reign, a recurring motif throughout [Jesus' parables](/luke/8-4-18 "Luke 8:4-18 - Parables of the Sower and Lamp").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Kingdom (Greek, _basileía'_):** From G932, this term signifies "royalty" or "rule," and concretely, a "realm." In the context of "Kingdom of God," it refers to God's sovereign reign and the sphere in which His authority is exercised. It is not merely a geographical territory but the dynamic, active rule of God in the hearts of people and over all creation, both now and in the future.
* **God (Greek, _theós'_):** From G2316, referring to the supreme Divinity. When combined with "Kingdom," it specifies that this reign originates from and belongs to the one true God, distinguishing it from any earthly or human kingdom. It emphasizes the divine origin and nature of this unique realm.
* **Resemble (Greek, _homoióō'_):** From G3666, meaning "to assimilate" or "to compare." Jesus' use of this verb indicates His intention to explain the Kingdom through analogy or similitude, inviting His listeners to draw parallels between a known earthly reality and the spiritual truths of God's reign. This choice of word signals that a parable is about to be told.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said he":** This introductory phrase, common in narrative, indicates a transition in Jesus' discourse. It marks the shift from the previous teaching or event (the healing of the crippled woman) to a new, significant teaching moment, signaling the audience to pay close attention to what follows.
* **"Unto what is the kingdom of God like?":** This is the first part of Jesus' rhetorical question. By asking "unto what is it like?", Jesus immediately frames the topic as an analogy. He is not asking for a definition but for a comparison, inviting His listeners to consider the nature of God's reign through a relatable image. This question challenges preconceived notions and opens the mind to new understanding.
* **"and whereunto shall I resemble it?":** This second part of the question reiterates and intensifies the first, emphasizing Jesus' intention to use a parable or simile. The repetition underscores the importance of the inquiry and the method He is about to employ. It's a direct invitation for the audience to anticipate and engage with the upcoming illustration, preparing them to receive a spiritual truth through an earthly comparison.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus' question in Luke 13:18 masterfully employs several literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, which is posed not to elicit an answer from the audience, but to stimulate thought and prepare them for the teaching that follows. By asking "Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?", Jesus actively engages His listeners, prompting them to ponder the nature of the Kingdom and anticipate the forthcoming parables. This technique fosters a deeper level of engagement than a simple declarative statement. Furthermore, the verse sets up the use of **Simile** and **Analogy**, as Jesus explicitly states His intention to "resemble" or "liken" the Kingdom to something familiar. This prepares the audience for the metaphorical language of the parables of the mustard seed and leaven, where abstract spiritual truths are illuminated through concrete, relatable images. Finally, this Socratic method of teaching, where the teacher asks questions to guide the student to discover truth, is a subtle but powerful device, encouraging active learning and personal revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 13:18 serves as a crucial theological gateway, inviting believers to reconsider their understanding of God's active rule in the world. It challenges any notion of the Kingdom of God as a purely external, political, or immediately overwhelming force, redirecting focus to its often hidden, internal, and organic growth. This verse, by posing a question, emphasizes that the Kingdom's true nature is discovered through revelation and comparison, rather than through human logic or power. It highlights the divine wisdom in God's plan for His Kingdom to unfold not through grand, instantaneous displays, but through humble, often unnoticed beginnings that ultimately yield immense, pervasive influence. This divine strategy ensures that the Kingdom's expansion is attributed solely to God's power, not human effort, fostering humility and dependence on Him.

* [Mark 4:30-32](/mark/4-30-32 "Mark 4:30-32 - The Parable of the Mustard Seed")
* [Luke 17:20-21](/luke/17-20-21 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God Is Within You")
* [Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - The Eternal Kingdom of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 13:18, though a question, carries profound implications for our spiritual journey and understanding of God's work in the world. It reminds us that God's methods often defy human expectations, beginning small and growing in ways that may seem imperceptible at first. For believers, this means cultivating patience and faith in the seemingly small acts of obedience, prayer, and service. A single act of kindness, a quiet word of witness, or consistent prayer for a loved one might appear insignificant, but like the mustard seed or leaven, these can be the catalysts for profound spiritual transformation and far-reaching impact within individuals, families, and communities. This verse encourages us to look beyond immediate results and trust in the sovereign, often incremental, work of God. It also challenges us to actively engage with spiritual truths, not just passively receive them, prompting us to ask our own questions and seek deeper understanding of how God's Kingdom is manifesting in our lives and the world around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do my expectations of God's Kingdom align or diverge from the subtle, organic growth implied by Jesus' question and subsequent parables?**
* **What "small beginnings" in my personal faith journey or in my local church might actually be significant manifestations of God's Kingdom at work?**
* **In what ways can I more actively engage with biblical truths, moving beyond passive listening to deeper reflection and application, as Jesus' question encourages?**
* **How does understanding the Kingdom's growth from humble origins impact my approach to evangelism, discipleship, or ministry?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jesus ask a question instead of simply stating what the Kingdom of God is like?**

Answer: Jesus often used rhetorical questions and parables as a pedagogical strategy to engage His audience more deeply. By asking "Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?" in [Luke 13:18](/luke/13-18 "Luke 13:18 - Jesus Asks About the Kingdom"), He wasn't seeking an answer from the crowd, but rather prompting them to think, anticipate, and participate in the discovery of truth. This method encourages active reflection and makes the subsequent parables more impactful, as the listeners are already primed to understand the comparisons He is about to make. It's a Socratic approach that fosters deeper understanding and personal revelation rather than mere intellectual assent.

**What is the "Kingdom of God" that Jesus refers to?**

Answer: The "Kingdom of God" (or "Kingdom of Heaven" in Matthew) is a central theme of Jesus' teaching, referring not to a physical territory, but to God's sovereign rule and reign. It is both a present reality, inaugurated by Jesus' first coming and active wherever God's will is done and His authority recognized [Luke 17:20-21](/luke/17-20-21 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God Is Within You"), and a future hope, which will be fully established at His second coming [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord"). In [Luke 13:18](/luke/13-18 "Luke 13:18 - Jesus Asks About the Kingdom") and the parables that follow, Jesus emphasizes its organic, often hidden, growth from small beginnings to a pervasive and encompassing influence, illustrating how God's divine reign expands in the world through humble means.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 13:18, with its profound inquiry into the nature of the Kingdom of God, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "Kingdom of God" that Jesus seeks to describe is not an abstract concept but a dynamic reality inaugurated by His very presence and ministry. He is the King, and His coming marks the inbreaking of God's reign into human history [Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Repent and Believe the Gospel"). The seemingly small and inconspicuous beginning of the Kingdom, as foreshadowed by the subsequent parables of the mustard seed and leaven, is perfectly mirrored in Christ's humble birth in Bethlehem [Luke 2:7](/luke/2-7 "Luke 2:7 - Jesus Born in Bethlehem"), His quiet life in Nazareth, and His ministry that began with a small band of disciples. Yet, from this humble origin, through His atoning death on the cross [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption Through His Blood") and glorious resurrection [Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection"), the Kingdom has expanded through the power of the Holy Spirit, reaching "to the end of the earth" [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - You Will Be My Witnesses"). Jesus, as the incarnate Son of God, is the embodiment of this Kingdom, and all who believe in Him are transferred "from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of his beloved Son" [Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness"). Thus, Jesus' question in [Luke 13:18](/luke/13-18 "Luke 13:18 - Jesus Asks About the Kingdom") is ultimately answered by His own life, death, resurrection, and ongoing reign, which continues to grow and transform hearts until its final, glorious consummation at His return [Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 4:30

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

Mark 4:34

But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Luke 17:21

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Matthew 13:31

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Matthew 13:32

Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Luke 13:20

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

Mark 4:26

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;