Jesus' questions aren't just for a rhetorical flourish; they reveal his intention to draw his listeners into the discovery of what the Kingdom truly is, using relatable images to make its powerful, unexpected growth understandable. He's not just stating facts, but inviting people to ponder the mysterious, transformative nature of God's reign.
He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Immediately after Jesus confounded his critics by healing a woman on the Sabbath, he posed a question to the crowds. He wanted to illustrate the nature of God's kingdom, which, despite its humble beginnings, would grow with astonishing power and reach. He uses two parables to explain this, comparing it to a tiny mustard seed that becomes a large tree and to a small amount of leaven that permeates dough.
Jesus often used everyday images to reveal heavenly truths. But why did he start by asking 'What is it like?'
Jesus begins Luke 13:18 with a rhetorical question: 'What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?' This isn't a sign of uncertainty, but a masterful way to engage His listeners.
The kingdom of God starts small, almost unnoticeably. How can something so tiny become so immense?
The parables that follow this question (the mustard seed and the leaven, found in verses 19-21) highlight a remarkable trajectory for God's kingdom:
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Both parables emphasize that the initial appearance of the kingdom – small, perhaps even despised by the world – is not its final state. God's power works powerfully, even when unseen.
Understand the original words
basileia tou Theou · Greek Noun Phrase
The sovereign rule, reign, or realm of God. It represents the manifestation of God's power and authority on earth, inaugurated by the ministry of Jesus and culminating in the future consummation of His kingdom.
kokkos sinapeōs · Greek Noun Phrase
A small seed used metaphorically in Jesus’ teaching to illustrate the radical, contrastive growth of the kingdom of God—starting from an inconspicuous beginning to a vast, inclusive reality.
These parables were spoken as Jesus' ministry in Galilee was drawing to a close and he was heading to Jerusalem for his final week. They offer a powerful message of encouragement, assuring his followers that the kingdom of God, despite its humble beginnings and present opposition, would experience unstoppable, transformative growth.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus preached, taught, and performed miracles throughout Galilee, gathering disciples and facing opposition from religious leaders.
c. AD 30
Opposition in Galilee
Jesus' healing on the Sabbath in Luke 13:10-17 angered religious leaders, prompting his use of parables about the kingdom's growth.
c. AD 30
Jesus Travels Towards Jerusalem
Jesus began a deliberate journey towards Jerusalem, a journey that would culminate in his crucifixion and resurrection.
This passage provides the direct parallel of the mustard seed parable, highlighting how the Kingdom of God, starting small, grows into something significant and provides refuge.
Mark 4:30-32Similar to Luke, Mark also records Jesus using the mustard seed to illustrate the surprising growth and expansive nature of the Kingdom of God from humble beginnings.
1 Corinthians 1:28This verse speaks to God choosing the weak and lowly things of the world to shame the strong, echoing the theme of the mustard seed's growth and the unexpected power of God's kingdom.
Daniel 2:44This Old Testament passage prophesies a kingdom that will 'never be destroyed' and 'stand forever,' providing a prophetic backdrop to the unstoppable, albeit initially small, growth of God's kingdom described in Jesus' parables.
Matthew 13:33This verse presents the parable of the leaven, offering another perspective on the Kingdom of God's pervasive and transformative influence, even when introduced subtly.
barnesLuke 13:18: "Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?"
See these parables explained in the notes at Matthew 13:31-32 .
calvinLuke 13:18-22: "Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?"
- He delivered another parable to them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard, which a man took and sowed in his field: 32. Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown up, it is the largest among herbs, [220] and becometh a tree, so that the fowls of heaven come and make their nests among its branches. 33. He spake another parable to them: The kingdom of…
Jesus' questions aren't just for a rhetorical flourish; they reveal his intention to draw his listeners into the discovery of what the Kingdom truly is, using relatable images to make its powerful, unexpected growth understandable. He's not just stating facts, but inviting people to ponder the mysterious, transformative nature of God's reign.
Immediately after Jesus confounded his critics by healing a woman on the Sabbath, he posed a question to the crowds. He wanted to illustrate the nature of God's kingdom, which, despite its humble beginnings, would grow with astonishing power and reach. He uses two parables to explain this, comparing it to a tiny mustard seed that becomes a large tree and to a small amount of leaven that permeates dough.
Immediately after Jesus confounded his critics by healing a woman on the Sabbath, he posed a question to the crowds. He wanted to illustrate the nature of God's kingdom, which, despite its humble beginnings, would grow with astonishing power and reach. He uses two parables to explain this, comparing it to a tiny mustard seed that becomes a large tree and to a small amount of leaven that permeates dough.
"He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its bran…" — Jesus' questions aren't just for a rhetorical flourish; they reveal his intention to draw his listeners into the discovery of what the Kingdom truly is, using relatable images to make its powerful,…
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Last reviewed October 2026
