Charles Ellicott Commentary Mark 4:30

"And he said, How shall we liken the kingdom of God? or in what parable shall we set it forth?" — Mark 4:30 (ASV)

With what comparison shall we compare it?—Literally, By what parable shall we set it forth? The question which introduces the parable is in Mark and Luke, but not in Matthew. It gives us the impression of a question asked to stretch the minds of the hearers, so that they might welcome the answer.