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.

Another {G243} parable {G3850} spake he {G2980} unto them {G846}; The kingdom {G932} of heaven {G3772} is {G2076} like {G3664} unto leaven {G2219}, which {G3739} a woman {G1135} took {G2983}, and hid {G1470} in {G1519} three {G5140} measures {G4568} of meal {G224}, till {G2193} the whole {G3650} was {G3739} leavened {G2220}.

And he told them yet another parable. "The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with a bushel of flour, then waited until the whole batch of dough rose."

He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.”

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 it was all leavened.

In Matthew 13:33, Jesus shares the brief but profound Parable of the Leaven, a powerful illustration of the Kingdom of Heaven's nature. Following the Parable of the Mustard Seed, this parable emphasizes the internal, pervasive, and transformative growth of God's spiritual reign. It describes how leaven, hidden within a large quantity of meal, silently but surely works until the entire batch is leavened, signifying the Kingdom's quiet yet complete influence.

Context

This parable is one of seven "Kingdom parables" found in Matthew chapter 13, all designed to reveal different aspects of the Kingdom of Heaven. It immediately follows the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32), which speaks of the Kingdom's small beginnings and outward, visible growth. The Parable of the Leaven complements this by illustrating the Kingdom's internal, pervasive, and often unseen work, emphasizing its transformative power from within. These parables were spoken to a crowd, offering insights into God's sovereign plan for His spiritual dominion.

Key Themes

  • Pervasive Growth and Influence: The primary message is the Kingdom of Heaven's quiet yet irresistible spread. Like leaven, its influence starts small but permeates and transforms everything it touches, whether individuals or society at large.
  • Hidden Transformation: The leaven is "hid" by the woman, suggesting that the Kingdom's work is often unseen, subtle, and operates from within, rather than through overt, forceful displays. This hidden process leads to a complete change.
  • Divine Agency: The "woman" in the parable can be seen as a representation of God Himself, or perhaps the Church, actively working to spread the Kingdom's influence through the world.
  • Completeness of Transformation: The phrase "till the whole was leavened" highlights the ultimate goal and effectiveness of the Kingdom – a complete and thorough transformation of what it permeates.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for 'leaven' is zymē. In many biblical contexts, leaven is used as a symbol of corruption, sin, or false teaching (e.g., 1 Corinthians 5:6, Galatians 5:9). However, in this parable, the emphasis is not on the moral quality of leaven but on its known physical property: its ability to spread and transform dough. Jesus uses this common household item to illustrate the pervasive and transformative nature of His Kingdom, which, despite humble beginnings, will ultimately influence the entire world. The "three measures of meal" (Greek: sata tria) refers to a very large quantity, approximately 50 pounds of flour, underscoring the vast scope of the Kingdom's reach.

Practical Application

The Parable of the Leaven offers great encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that the Kingdom of God, though often unseen in its work, has a profound and transformative power. Our individual acts of faith, love, and righteousness, no matter how small they seem, are like the leaven – they contribute to a larger, pervasive influence that can change hearts, communities, and ultimately, the world. It encourages patience and faith in the quiet, consistent work of God's Spirit, knowing that His Kingdom will ultimately permeate all things, bringing about His desired transformation.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:6

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

  • 1 Corinthians 5:7

    ¶ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

  • Galatians 5:9

    A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

  • Luke 13:21

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

  • Proverbs 4:18

    But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

  • Philippians 2:13

    For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

  • Philippians 2:15

    That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

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