The Parable of the Leaven

33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures [1] of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Jesus' Use of Parables

34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

Other Translations of Matthew 13:33-34

New International Version

The Parable of the Leaven

33 He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty poundsOr about 27 kilogramsof flour until it worked all through the dough."

Jesus' Use of Parables

34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.

English Standard Version

The Parable of the Leaven

33 He told them another parable. "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened."

Jesus' Use of Parables

34 All these things Jesus said to the crowds in parables; indeed, he said nothing to them without a parable.

The Message

The Parable of the Leaven

33 Another story. "God's kingdom is like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread - and waits while the dough rises."

Jesus' Use of Parables

34 All Jesus did that day was tell stories - a long storytelling afternoon.

New King James Version

The Parable of the Leaven

33 Another parable He spoke to them: "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened."

Jesus' Use of Parables

34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them,

New Living Translation

The Parable of the Leaven

33 Jesus also used this illustration: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough."

Jesus' Use of Parables

34 Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 13:33-34

Commentary on Matthew 13:31-35

(Read Matthew 13:31-35)

The scope of the parable of the seed sown, is to show that the beginnings of the gospel would be small, but its latter end would greatly increase; in this way the work of grace in the heart, the kingdom of God within us, would be carried on. In the soul where grace truly is, it will grow really; though perhaps at first not to be discerned, it will at last come to great strength and usefulness. The preaching of the gospel works like leaven in the hearts of those who receive it. The leaven works certainly, so does the word, yet gradually. It works silently, and without being seen, Romans 6:13. From these parables we are taught to expect a gradual progress; therefore let us inquire, Are we growing in grace? and in holy principles and habits?