Luke 13:21

KJV

It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

KJV (with Strong's)

It is {G2076} like {G3664} leaven {G2219}, which {G3739} a woman {G1135} took {G2983} and hid {G1470} in {G1519} three {G5140} measures {G4568} of meal {G224}, till {G2193}{G3739} the whole {G3650} was leavened {G2220}.

Complete Jewish Bible

It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with a bushel of flour, then waited until the whole batch of dough rose.”

Berean Standard Bible

It is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.”

American Standard Version

It is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Parable of the Leaven, as recorded in Luke 13:21, is a concise yet profound teaching by Jesus that illustrates the nature and pervasive growth of the Kingdom of God. Through the familiar domestic image of a woman incorporating a small amount of leaven into a large quantity of meal, Jesus reveals that His Kingdom, though starting from humble and often unseen beginnings, possesses an inherent, transformative power that will ultimately permeate and influence the entirety of creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This parable immediately follows the [Parable of the Mustard Seed](/luke/13-18-19 "Luke 13:18-19 - The Parable of the Mustard Seed"), forming a thematic pair that emphasizes the contrast between the Kingdom's small origins and its vast, comprehensive expansion. Both parables are part of a broader discourse in [Luke 13](/luke/13 "Luke 13 - Repentance and the Kingdom of God"), where Jesus is teaching about the urgency of repentance, the characteristics of God's reign, and the call to enter through the narrow door. The pairing of these two parables highlights different aspects of the Kingdom's growth: the mustard seed speaks to external, visible growth from a tiny beginning, while the leaven speaks to internal, pervasive, and often hidden transformation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Baking bread was a fundamental daily activity in ancient Israel, making the imagery of leaven and meal highly relatable to Jesus's audience. Women were typically responsible for preparing bread in the home. The "three measures of meal" (Greek: _sata tria_) was a substantial quantity, roughly equivalent to an ephah in the Old Testament, or about 50 pounds of flour, enough to feed a large gathering. This detail would have immediately conveyed the immense scope of the leaven's influence. While leaven often carried negative connotations in Jewish thought (symbolizing corruption or sin, particularly in the context of [Passover](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The First Passover")), Jesus here employs its natural, expansive property to illustrate a positive spiritual truth about the Kingdom's pervasive influence.
* **Key Themes:** The parable contributes significantly to several key themes within [Luke's Gospel](/luke/1 "Luke 1 - The Gospel of Luke"). Primarily, it underscores the theme of the **Kingdom of God's growth and expansion**, emphasizing that this growth is not always overt or immediate but often subtle, internal, and pervasive. It also highlights the **divine power at work** within the Kingdom; just as leavening is a natural, unstoppable process once initiated, so too is the spread of the Gospel empowered by God, not solely by human effort. The use of a woman in a domestic setting also subtly reinforces the theme of the **Kingdom's accessibility and manifestation in everyday life**, demonstrating that its influence is not confined to grand religious spectacles but permeates ordinary circumstances and individuals. This aligns with Luke's broader emphasis on Jesus's ministry reaching out to all people, including the marginalized and those in common walks of life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **leaven (Greek, _zýmē'_):** G2219. Derived from a word meaning "to boil up," _zymē_ refers to fermenting dough or yeast. In biblical literature, leaven can symbolize both positive and negative influences. While often used negatively (e.g., [1 Corinthians 5:6-8](/1_corinthians/5-6-8 "1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - Paul on Leaven and Sin") where it represents sin or false doctrine), in this parable, its function is clearly illustrative of a positive, transformative, and expansive power. It signifies an internal, active agent that spreads throughout a mass.
* **hid (Greek, _enkrýptō'_):** G1470. This verb means "to conceal in" or "to incorporate with." The act of hiding the leaven suggests that the Kingdom's work often begins subtly, imperceptibly, and from within, rather than through immediate, overt displays of power. Its influence is not always immediately apparent but works quietly and deeply.
* **three measures (Greek, _treîs sáton'_):** G5140 and G4568. _Sáton_ refers to a specific dry measure, approximately 13 liters or half a bushel. "Three measures" (_treîs sáton_) thus denotes a very large quantity of meal, estimated at around 50 pounds. This detail is crucial for emphasizing the vast scope of the Kingdom's ultimate influence. A small, hidden agent affects an overwhelmingly large mass, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the Kingdom's initial smallness compared to its final pervasive reach.
* **whole (Greek, _hólos'_):** G3650. This word signifies "complete," "entire," or "all." Its use here emphasizes the thoroughness and totality of the leaven's effect. The transformation is not partial but comprehensive, indicating that the Kingdom of God will ultimately permeate and transform every aspect it touches, leaving nothing untouched by its influence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"It is like leaven,"**: Jesus introduces the parable by drawing a direct comparison, setting the stage for an analogy that will illuminate a spiritual truth about the Kingdom of God. The "it" implicitly refers to the Kingdom, linking this parable thematically with the preceding one.
* **"which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal,"**: This clause describes the specific action and context. A woman, a common figure in domestic life, deliberately takes a small amount of leaven and incorporates it into a very large quantity of flour. The act of "hiding" suggests a quiet, internal, and perhaps initially unnoticeable process. The "three measures of meal" signify the vastness of the sphere to be influenced.
* **"till the whole was leavened."**: This final clause describes the inevitable and complete outcome. The leaven, despite its small size and hidden application, ultimately permeates and transforms the entire mass of meal. This illustrates the pervasive and thorough nature of the Kingdom of God's influence, which, once introduced, will inevitably spread and transform everything it touches.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed here is **Parable**, a short, illustrative story that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson. Jesus uses this common teaching method to convey complex theological truths in an accessible way. **Symbolism** is central, with the "leaven" symbolizing the Kingdom of God or its pervasive influence, and the "meal" symbolizing the world or humanity. The act of "hiding" the leaven carries **Imagery** of subtle, internal, and often unseen processes, contrasting with overt, external displays. The disproportionate scale between the small amount of leaven and the "three measures of meal" creates a sense of **Hyperbole** or exaggeration, emphasizing the extraordinary power of the Kingdom to transform on a vast scale from humble beginnings. The domestic setting provides **Familiarity** and relatability, grounding profound spiritual truth in everyday experience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Parable of the Leaven profoundly illustrates the nature of the Kingdom of God as an internal, pervasive, and transformative force. Unlike earthly kingdoms that expand through conquest or visible power, God's Kingdom grows from within, subtly yet powerfully influencing individuals and societies. It speaks to the quiet, often unseen work of the Holy Spirit and the Gospel message, which, once introduced, begins a process of spiritual fermentation that ultimately transforms the entire person or community. This parable highlights that the Kingdom's power is not in its outward display at its inception, but in its inherent capacity for complete permeation and renewal.

* [Matthew 13:33](/matthew/13-33 "Matthew 13:33 - The Parable of the Leaven")
* [1 Corinthians 5:6](/1_corinthians/5-6 "1 Corinthians 5:6 - A Little Leaven Leavens the Whole Lump")
* [Galatians 5:9](/galatians/5-9 "Galatians 5:9 - A Little Leaven Corrupts the Whole Dough")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Parable of the Leaven offers a profound encouragement and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that the Kingdom of God operates not primarily through grand, public spectacles, but through the quiet, consistent, and transformative influence of individual lives dedicated to Christ. Just as a small amount of leaven works its way through an entire batch of dough, so too can the presence of Christ within us, and our faithful living out of the Gospel, gradually permeate and transform our families, workplaces, communities, and even broader society. This requires patience and faith, as the work of the Kingdom is often slow and unseen, yet it is ultimately irresistible and comprehensive. We are called to be the "leaven" in the world, allowing the values, truth, and love of God's Kingdom to work through us, not through force or coercion, but through gentle, pervasive influence that begins from within and spreads outwardly, touching every aspect of life. It teaches us to value the small acts of faithfulness, knowing that they contribute to God's vast, transformative work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or community do I see the "leavening" influence of God's Kingdom at work, even in subtle ways?**
* **How can I, as an individual, intentionally allow the "leaven" of the Gospel to more fully permeate my own character and actions?**
* **What small, consistent acts of faith or service can I engage in that might contribute to the pervasive spread of God's Kingdom in my sphere of influence?**
* **How does this parable encourage me to be patient and trust in God's timing for spiritual growth, both personally and corporately?**

### FAQ
**Why does leaven sometimes have a negative connotation in the Bible, but here it's used positively?**

Answer: The dual symbolism of leaven in the Bible is a key point of understanding. In some contexts, particularly in the Old Testament (e.g., [Exodus 12:15](/exodus/12-15 "Exodus 12:15 - Unleavened Bread for Passover")) and in Paul's epistles (e.g., [1 Corinthians 5:6-8](/1_corinthians/5-6-8 "1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - Paul on Leaven and Sin") and [Galatians 5:9](/galatians/5-9 "Galatians 5:9 - A Little Leaven Corrupts the Whole Dough")), leaven symbolizes corruption, sin, hypocrisy, or false doctrine because of its fermenting, spreading nature. It represents something that, even in small amounts, can spoil or alter the whole. However, in the Parable of the Leaven in [Luke 13:21](/luke/13-21 "Luke 13:21 - The Parable of the Leaven") and its parallel in [Matthew 13:33](/matthew/13-33 "Matthew 13:33 - The Parable of the Leaven"), Jesus uses leaven to highlight its *positive* characteristic of pervasive, transformative growth. The emphasis is on its ability to spread and change an entire mass from within, illustrating the Kingdom of God's quiet yet powerful influence that will ultimately permeate the world. The meaning is determined by the specific context and the quality being emphasized.

**What do the "three measures of meal" represent in the parable?**

Answer: The "three measures of meal" (Greek: _treîs sáton_) represent a very large quantity of flour, roughly equivalent to 50 pounds. This substantial amount is significant because it emphasizes the vast scope of the Kingdom of God's influence. It highlights that the small, seemingly insignificant amount of leaven (representing the Kingdom's humble beginnings or initial presence) is capable of transforming an overwhelmingly large mass. It symbolizes the world, or humanity, in its entirety, indicating that the Kingdom of God, despite its modest origins, is destined to permeate and transform the whole of creation, not just a small part of it. This detail underscores the comprehensive and universal reach of God's redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Parable of the Leaven finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and the ongoing work of His Kingdom. Jesus Himself is the "leaven" that was "hid" in the world, entering human history in humility and obscurity, not with outward pomp but as a servant ([Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). His life, death, and resurrection initiated the transformative process of God's reign on earth. The "three measures of meal" can be seen as humanity or the world that Christ came to redeem. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus provided the means for the "leavening" power of the Holy Spirit to be poured out upon all flesh ([Acts 2:17](/acts/2-17 "Acts 2:17 - The Spirit Poured Out")). This Spirit, indwelling believers, empowers the church to be the ongoing "leaven" in the world, spreading the Gospel message and embodying Kingdom values from within society ([Matthew 5:13-16](/matthew/5-13-16 "Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light")). The quiet, pervasive influence of Christ's life and the Spirit's work through His people will continue until "the whole was leavened," culminating in the full establishment of God's righteous reign when Christ returns to make all things new ([Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "Revelation 21:1-5 - A New Heaven and a New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 13:33

Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

1 Corinthians 5:6

Your glorying [is] not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

1 Thessalonians 5:23

¶ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it].

John 15:2

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

James 1:21

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.