Luke 13:18-30

English Standard Version

The Mustard Seed and the Leaven

^18 (A)He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? ¹⁹ It is like ^(B)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.”

²⁰ And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? ^21 (C)It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in ^(D)three measures of flour, until it was ^(E)all leavened.”

The Narrow Door

^22 (F)He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and ^(G)journeying toward Jerusalem. ²³ And someone said to him, “Lord, ^(H)will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, ^24 (I)“Strive ^(J)to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. ^25 (K)When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ^(L)‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ^(M)‘I do not know where you come from.’ ²⁶ Then you will begin to say, ^(N)‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ ²⁷ But he will say, ‘I tell you, ^(O)I do not know where you come from. ^(P)Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ ^28 (Q)In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see ^(R)Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but ^(S)you yourselves cast out. ²⁹ And ^(T)people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and ^(U)recline at table in the kingdom of God. ³⁰ And behold, ^(V)some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”