Luke 13:20

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} again {G3825} he said {G2036}, Whereunto {G5101} shall I liken {G3666} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Again he said, “With what will I compare the Kingdom of God?

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 13:20 serves as a pivotal rhetorical question posed by Jesus, introducing yet another profound parable designed to illuminate the enigmatic nature of the Kingdom of God. Following closely on the heels of the parable of the mustard seed, this verse highlights Jesus' consistent pedagogical approach of employing relatable, everyday analogies to convey deep spiritual truths about God's invisible yet powerfully transformative reign, inviting His audience to ponder its unique characteristics and pervasive influence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader section of Luke's Gospel (chapters 13-17) where Jesus delivers a series of parables and teachings primarily focused on the nature of the Kingdom of God, discipleship, and the urgency of repentance. Specifically, [Luke 13:20](/luke/13-20 "Luke 13:20 - Jesus Asks About the Kingdom of God") immediately precedes the parable of the leaven in [Luke 13:21](/luke/13-21 "Luke 13:21 - The Parable of the Leaven") and directly follows the parable of the mustard seed in [Luke 13:18-19](/luke/13-18-19 "Luke 13:18-19 - The Parable of the Mustard Seed"). The repetition of the question "Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?" from [Luke 13:18](/luke/13-18 "Luke 13:18 - The Kingdom of God Compared to a Mustard Seed") underscores Jesus' deliberate intent to provide multiple facets of understanding for this central theological concept, using common agricultural and domestic imagery to make abstract spiritual realities accessible to His diverse audience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' ministry took place in a first-century Jewish context where the concept of a "kingdom" was deeply ingrained, often associated with a visible, political, and earthly reign, particularly the restoration of Israel's national sovereignty. Many of Jesus' contemporaries anticipated a Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule and establish a glorious Davidic kingdom. Against this backdrop, Jesus' teachings on the Kingdom of God consistently challenged these conventional expectations, presenting a kingdom that was spiritual, internal, and inaugurated through His person and ministry, yet also with a future, consummated dimension. His use of parables, drawing from everyday life such as farming and baking, was a common pedagogical method in the ancient Near East, allowing complex truths to be communicated in a memorable and culturally resonant manner to a largely agrarian society.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in this section of Luke's Gospel, and particularly highlighted by [Luke 13:20](/luke/13-20 "Luke 13:20 - Jesus' Question on the Kingdom"), is the **Nature of the Kingdom of God**. Jesus' repeated attempts to define and illustrate the Kingdom reveal its unique characteristics: it is not an outward political entity but an inward, spiritual reality that grows organically and transforms from within. Another key theme is **Parabolic Teaching**, as Jesus' rhetorical question "Whereunto shall I liken...?" emphasizes His masterful and deliberate use of parables as His primary teaching method. These stories served not only to reveal truth to those with receptive hearts but also to veil it from those unwilling to understand, prompting deeper spiritual discernment. Finally, the theme of **Divine Analogy** is prominent, as Jesus' active search for a comparison underscores that while the Kingdom of God is spiritual, it has profound parallels in the natural world that can help humanity grasp its pervasive, transformative power, much like the subtle yet powerful influence described in the subsequent [parable of the leaven](/luke/13-21 "Luke 13:21 - The Parable of the Leaven").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Greek, _épō'_):** This verb, G2036, is a primary verb meaning "to speak or say." In this context, it indicates Jesus' direct and authoritative communication. The use of "again he said" emphasizes the continuation of His teaching on the Kingdom, suggesting a deliberate and repetitive pedagogical strategy to ensure His audience grasps the multifaceted nature of this central concept.
* **liken (Greek, _homoióō'_):** Derived from G3666, this verb means "to assimilate, i.e., compare; passively, to become similar." Jesus' use of this word in a rhetorical question reveals His pedagogical approach: He is actively seeking the most fitting earthly analogy to describe the unseen, spiritual reality of the Kingdom of God. It signifies a profound desire to make divine truths accessible and understandable by drawing parallels to familiar experiences.
* **kingdom (Greek, _basileía'_):** This noun, G932, refers to "royalty, i.e., rule, or concretely, a realm." In the context of "the kingdom of God," it denotes God's sovereign reign and the sphere over which He exercises His authority. Jesus' parables often redefine this concept, shifting the focus from an earthly political dominion to a spiritual reality that is already present in His ministry and will be fully consummated in the future.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And again he said,"**: This opening phrase connects the present teaching to the preceding one, specifically the parable of the mustard seed in [Luke 13:18-19](/luke/13-18-19 "Luke 13:18-19 - The Parable of the Mustard Seed"). The repetition of "again he said" highlights Jesus' persistent and methodical approach to explaining the Kingdom of God, indicating that He is about to offer another illustrative comparison to deepen understanding. It signals a continuation of His discourse on this vital topic.
* **"Whereunto shall I liken"**: This is a rhetorical question, a common feature of Jesus' teaching. It serves to engage the audience, prompting them to consider the profound nature of the Kingdom and the challenge of finding an adequate earthly comparison. By posing the question, Jesus prepares His listeners for the subsequent parable, inviting them to actively participate in the process of discovery and understanding. It underscores the unique and often counter-intuitive characteristics of God's reign.
* **"the kingdom of God?"**: This is the central subject of Jesus' inquiry. The "kingdom of God" refers to the dynamic reign and sovereign rule of God, which Jesus proclaimed was breaking into human history through His own ministry. It is a spiritual reality that transforms individuals and societies, distinct from earthly political kingdoms. The question itself implies that the Kingdom's nature is not immediately obvious and requires divine revelation through analogy to be grasped by human minds.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 13:20 masterfully employs several literary devices to enhance its impact and prepare the audience for the subsequent teaching. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?" This question is not posed to elicit an answer from the audience but to stimulate thought and draw attention to the profound and often elusive nature of the Kingdom. It creates anticipation for the coming parable and emphasizes the challenge of fully comprehending God's reign. The phrase also functions as a **Parabolic Introduction**, signaling that another illustrative story is imminent, a characteristic feature of Jesus' teaching method. Furthermore, there is an element of **Repetition**, as the exact same question was posed in [Luke 13:18](/luke/13-18 "Luke 13:18 - The Kingdom of God Compared to a Mustard Seed") before the parable of the mustard seed. This repetition underscores the importance and multifaceted nature of the Kingdom, suggesting that no single analogy can fully capture its essence, thus necessitating multiple comparisons. This literary technique reinforces Jesus' deliberate pedagogical strategy to progressively reveal the Kingdom's truths.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 13:20, by posing the question of how to describe the Kingdom of God, highlights its unique and often counter-intuitive nature. Theologically, it emphasizes that God's reign is not a visible, earthly empire, but a spiritual reality that operates through subtle, pervasive, and transformative power. It is a kingdom that grows from humble beginnings, much like the minute mustard seed or the hidden leaven, yet ultimately exerts an all-encompassing influence. This verse underscores the divine wisdom in Jesus' teaching method, using accessible analogies to reveal profound truths about God's sovereignty, His redemptive plan, and the way His kingdom expands in the world and in human hearts, often in ways that defy human expectations of grandeur or immediate display of power. It invites believers to discern the quiet, yet potent, work of God in their midst.

* [Luke 13:18-19](/luke/13-18-19 "Luke 13:18-19 - The Parable of the Mustard Seed")
* [Matthew 13:33](/matthew/13-33 "Matthew 13:33 - The Parable of the Leaven")
* [Mark 4:30-32](/mark/4-30-32 "Mark 4:30-32 - The Parable of the Mustard Seed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 13:20 challenges us to consider how we perceive and understand the Kingdom of God in our contemporary world. Just as Jesus sought relatable comparisons for His first-century audience, we are encouraged to look for the subtle yet powerful ways God's reign manifests today, both globally and in our personal lives. The question "Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?" implicitly teaches us that the Kingdom, though not always obvious or outwardly spectacular, is actively at work, growing and transforming, much like leaven pervades an entire batch of dough. This prompts us to cultivate spiritual discernment, recognizing God's pervasive influence and power even in small beginnings or seemingly insignificant acts of faith and obedience. It calls us to participate in this Kingdom, allowing its values to transform our hearts and actions, and to be agents of its quiet, yet revolutionary, expansion in the world around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I personally define or imagine "the Kingdom of God" in my daily life?**
* **What "everyday analogies" or experiences in my life help me better understand God's subtle yet powerful work?**
* **In what small, seemingly insignificant ways might the Kingdom of God be at work in my community or personal sphere of influence?**
* **How can I better align my life and priorities with the values and principles of God's Kingdom as revealed by Jesus?**

### FAQ

**Why does Jesus ask "Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?" more than once?**

Answer: Jesus asks this question multiple times (e.g., in [Luke 13:18](/luke/13-18 "Luke 13:18 - The Kingdom of God Compared to a Mustard Seed") and [Luke 13:20](/luke/13-20 "Luke 13:20 - Jesus Asks About the Kingdom of God")) to emphasize the profound and multifaceted nature of the Kingdom of God. No single analogy can fully capture its essence, so Jesus provides various comparisons (like the mustard seed and the leaven) to illuminate different aspects of its growth, pervasive influence, and ultimate triumph. The repetition also serves as a pedagogical device, engaging the audience and preparing them for a new insight into this central concept of His teaching.

**What is the significance of Jesus using everyday analogies to describe the Kingdom of God?**

Answer: Jesus' use of everyday analogies, such as a mustard seed or leaven, is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it made profound spiritual truths accessible and understandable to His diverse audience, many of whom were common people with agrarian or domestic backgrounds. Secondly, it challenged the prevailing Jewish expectations of a visible, political kingdom, redirecting focus to the spiritual and internal nature of God's reign. Thirdly, it highlighted the paradox of the Kingdom: it often begins small and unnoticeable, yet possesses immense, transformative power, growing from within to pervade and change its environment. This method allowed for both immediate comprehension and deeper reflection, revealing truth to the receptive while concealing it from the unreceptive, as seen in [Matthew 13:10-17](/matthew/13-10-17 "Matthew 13:10-17 - Why Jesus Spoke in Parables").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 13:20, with its rhetorical question about likening the Kingdom of God, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus is not merely the one who describes the Kingdom; He is the very embodiment and inaugurator of it. The Kingdom of God, which Jesus repeatedly sought to define through parables, arrived with His advent and ministry (cf. [Luke 17:20-21](/luke/17-20-21 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God is Within You")). He is the King who brings the Kingdom, and His life, death, and resurrection are the means by which God's sovereign rule is established and extended over humanity. The growth of the Kingdom, as illustrated by the mustard seed and leaven, points to the pervasive and transformative power unleashed through Christ's redemptive work on the cross and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The seemingly small and humble beginnings of Jesus' ministry, culminating in His crucifixion, paradoxically led to the explosive growth of His church and the ongoing expansion of God's spiritual reign throughout the world, ultimately foreshadowing the consummation of His Kingdom when He returns as the triumphant King (cf. [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.