Luke 13:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

NIV: Then Jesus asked, 'What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?

NASB: So He was saying, 'What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?

CSB: He said, therefore, "What is the kingdom of God like, and what can I compare it to?

NLT: Then Jesus said, 'What is the Kingdom of God like? How can I illustrate it?

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

NKJV: Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

"Therefore" indicates that Jesus tells these parables because of the prior passage: Jesus healing a woman on the Sabbath and thereby splitting the religious leaders from the people. The leaders are shamed and the people rejoice (Luke 13:10–17). Luke may have a grander view in mind. The kingdom of God has come (Luke 9:2). Healing the woman is a sign of the kingdom's power to restore health and defeat Satan (Luke 9:2).

But the Jews of Jesus' time don't understand that the inauguration of the kingdom of God begins a slow process of developing a people of God. This is necessary before they enter His more physically manifested kingdom on earth. Only when the Holy Spirit's work to build the church is complete will Jesus establish God's literal, physical kingdom at His second coming (Acts 1:6–7).

The healing of a single woman is a precursor to the day when all Jesus' followers will receive glorified bodies. The rejoicing of the people over the work of God to rescue her from bondage to Satan will see its culmination when Jesus defeats Satan completely (Revelation 20:7–10). Add to that Jesus' call to repentance from sins and reconciliation with God (Luke 13:1–9) as well as the people's acceptance of Jesus' power and authority as their Lord, Savior, King, and Priest. All these aspects of God's kingdom will take a long time to come to completion.

The slow growth of the mustard tree and the arduous work of the baker are metaphors for the gradual but saturating and inevitable work of the gospel.

Luke 13:18–21 records two short similes that describe the kingdom of God. The first compares the kingdom to a mustard seed that grows into a tree that the birds can rest in. The second compares the kingdom to leaven that is worked through an entire batch of dough. In both cases, growth is slow at first. But once growth starts, it's unstoppable. Similar stories appear in Matthew 13:31–33 and Mark 4:30–32. Next, Luke records Jesus explaining that the door to the kingdom is narrow and lamenting that so many Jews will reject that path (Luke 13:22–35).

Jesus uses real-world examples to show that tragedy and death can come to anyone, even the righteous. No one should delay in reconciling to God; time is running out. Jesus heals a woman in the synagogue, on the Sabbath, triggering an angry response. Jesus scolds the synagogue leader, then preaches about the inevitable spread of the gospel around the entire world. However, He also notes that most people will reject this message, including the people of Israel.

Luke 9:51—19:27 is sometimes called "Jesus' Travelogue to Jerusalem." The segment describes how Jesus prepared the disciples for their future as He approached His own death and resurrection. Interspersed are a few altercations with religious leaders. There are calls for the crowd to repent of their sins and reconcile with God before it's too late. In Luke 13, two stories in particular reveal Jesus' heart. In one, He heals a long-suffering woman on the Sabbath; healing is a type of rest. In the last, He mourns the fact that, for now, the Jews as a nation will reject their Messiah.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.