17. As He said this, all His opponents were being humiliated; and the entire crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things being done by Him.
18. So He was saying, "What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it?
19. It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches."
20. And again He said, "To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?
21. It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened."
22. And He was passing through from one city and village to another, teaching, and proceeding on His way to Jerusalem.
23. And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them,
24. "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
25. Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.'
26. Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets';
27. and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.'
28. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out.