Luke 13:18-35

Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and of the Yeast

¹⁸ He said, therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like,^(A) and what can I compare it to? ¹⁹ It’s like a mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky nested in its branches.”

²⁰ Again He said, “What can I compare the kingdom of God^(B) to? ²¹ It’s like yeast^(C) that a woman took and mixed into 50 pounds^[a] of flour until it spread through the entire mixture.”^[b]

The Narrow Way

²² He went through one town and village after another, teaching and making His way to Jerusalem.^{(D) 23} “Lord,” someone asked Him, “are there few being saved?”^[c](E)

He said to them, ²⁴ “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door,^(F) because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able ²⁵ once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door.^(G) Then you will stand^[d] outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up for us!’ He will answer you, ‘I don’t know you or where you’re from.’ ²⁶ Then you will say,^[e] ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets!’ ²⁷ But He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you’re from. Get away from Me,^(H) all you workers of unrighteousness!’ ²⁸ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth^(I) in that place,^(J) when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God,^(K) but yourselves thrown out. ²⁹ They will come from east and west, from north and south, and recline at the table^(L) in the kingdom of God. ³⁰ Note this: Some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”^(M)

Jesus and Herod Antipas

³¹ At that time some Pharisees came and told Him, “Go, get out of here! Herod^(N) wants to kill You!”^(O)

³² He said to them, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look! I’m driving out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day^[f] I will complete My work.’^{[g](P) 33} Yet I must^(Q) travel today, tomorrow, and the next day, because it is not possible for a prophet^(R) to perish^(S) outside of Jerusalem!

Jesus’ Lamentation over Jerusalem

³⁴ “Jerusalem, Jerusalem!^(T) She who kills the prophets and stones^(U) those who are sent to her.^(V) How often I wanted to gather your children^(W) together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,^(X) but you were not willing!^{(Y) 35} See, your house^[h] is abandoned to you.^(Z) And I tell you, you will not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘He who comes in the name of the Lord is the blessed One’!”^(AA)[i]