Matthew 13:33
New International Version
He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

New Living Translation
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.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

Berean Literal Bible
He spoke to them another parable: "The kingdom of the heavens is like leaven, which a woman having taken, hid in three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
He spoke another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three sata of flour until it was all leavened.”

NASB 1995
He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”

NASB 1977
He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three pecks of meal, until it was all leavened.”

Legacy Standard Bible
He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three sata of flour until it was all leavened.”

Amplified Bible
He told them another parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and worked into three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

Christian Standard Bible
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into fifty pounds of flour until all of it was leavened.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into 50 pounds of flour until it spread through all of it.”

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus also said: The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a woman mixes a little yeast into three big batches of flour. Finally, all the dough rises.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He used another illustration. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman mixed into a large amount of flour until the yeast worked its way through all the dough."

Good News Translation
Jesus told them still another parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A woman takes some yeast and mixes it with a bushel of flour until the whole batch of dough rises."

International Standard Version
He told them another parable: "The kingdom from heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."

Majority Standard Bible
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.”

NET Bible
He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until all the dough had risen."

New Heart English Bible
He spoke another parable to them. "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, until it was all leavened."

Webster's Bible Translation
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 the whole was leavened.

Weymouth New Testament
Another parable He spoke to them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "is like yeast which a woman takes and buries in a bushel of flour, for it to work there till the whole mass has risen."

World English Bible
He spoke another parable to them. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until it was all leavened.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Another allegory He spoke to them: “The kingdom of the heavens is like to leaven, which a woman having taken, hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened.”

Berean Literal Bible
He spoke to them another parable: "The kingdom of the heavens is like leaven, which a woman having taken, hid in three measures of flour until all of it was leavened."

Young's Literal Translation
Another simile spake he to them: 'The reign of the heavens is like to leaven, which a woman having taken, hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.'

Smith's Literal Translation
Another parable spake he to them; The kingdom of the heavens is like to leaven, which a woman having taken, hid in three measures of wheaten flour, till the whole was leavened.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Another parable he spoke to them: The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He spoke another parable to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of fine wheat flour, until it was entirely leavened.”

New American Bible
He spoke to them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened.”

New Revised Standard Version
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He told them another parable. The kingdom of heaven is like the leaven, which a woman took and buried in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
He told them another parable: “The Kingdom of Heaven is likened to leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal until all of it had fermented.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He spoke another parable to them: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till the whole was leavened.

Godbey New Testament
And he spake another parable unto them; The kingdom of the heavens is like unto the leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened.

Haweis New Testament
Another parable spake he to them: The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and covered up in three measures of flour, until the whole was leavened.

Mace New Testament
Another of his parables was this; the gospel-state is like unto leaven, which a woman took and mixt with three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Weymouth New Testament
Another parable He spoke to them. "The Kingdom of the Heavens," He said, "is like yeast which a woman takes and buries in a bushel of flour, for it to work there till the whole mass has risen."

Worrell New Testament
Another parable He spake to them: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like leaven, which a woman, taking, hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."

Worsley New Testament
Another parable spake He unto them, saying, The gospel-kingdom is like leaven, which a woman took and put into a large quantity of dough, till the whole was leavened.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Parable of the Leaven
32Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” 33He 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.” 34Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable.…

Cross References
Luke 13:20-21
Again He asked, “To what can I compare the kingdom of God? / It is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.”

Galatians 5:9
A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough.

1 Corinthians 5:6-7
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough? / Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Exodus 12:15
For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you are to remove the leaven from your houses. Whoever eats anything leavened from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel.

Leviticus 23:17
Bring two loaves of bread from your dwellings as a wave offering, each made from two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour, baked with leaven, as the firstfruits to the LORD.

Hosea 7:4
They are all adulterers, like an oven heated by a baker who needs not stoke the fire from the kneading to the rising of the dough.

1 Corinthians 10:17
Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

Matthew 16:6
“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Mark 8:15
“Watch out!” He cautioned them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.”

Luke 12:1
In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Genesis 18:6
So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Prepare three seahs of fine flour, knead it, and bake some bread.”

Judges 6:19
So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread and an ephah of flour. He placed the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot and brought them out to present to Him under the oak.

1 Samuel 28:24
The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.

Amos 4:5
Offer leavened bread as a thank offering, and loudly proclaim your freewill offerings. For that is what you children of Israel love to do,” declares the Lord GOD.

Zechariah 5:6-8
“What is it?” I asked. And he replied, “A measuring basket is going forth.” Then he continued, “This is their iniquity in all the land.” / And behold, the cover of lead was raised, and there was a woman sitting inside the basket. / “This is Wickedness,” he said. And he shoved her down into the basket, pushing down the lead cover over its opening.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Another.

Mark 13:20
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

like.

Luke 13:21
It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

1 Corinthians 5:6,7
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? …

Galatians 5:9
A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

measures.

till.

Job 17:9
The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Hosea 6:3
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

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Amount Buries Bushel Dough Flour Heaven Heavens Hid Kingdom Leavened Mass Meal Measures Mixed Parable Pecks Reign Simile Story Three Whole Work Worked Yeast
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Matthew 13
1. The parable of the sower and the seed;
18. the explanation of it.
24. The parable of the weeds;
31. of the mustard seed;
33. of the leaven;
36. explanation of the parable of the weeds.
44. The parable of the hidden treasure;
45. of the pearl;
47. of the drag net cast into the sea.
53. Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country.














He told them still another parable
The use of parables by Jesus is a profound teaching method, rich in imagery and meaning. The Greek word for "parable" is "parabolē," which means a comparison or analogy. Parables were a common teaching tool in Jewish tradition, used to convey deep spiritual truths through simple, relatable stories. Jesus' use of parables was both to reveal and conceal truths, offering insight to those with open hearts while veiling meaning from those who were spiritually blind.

The kingdom of heaven
This phrase is central to Jesus' teachings and appears frequently in the Gospel of Matthew. The "kingdom of heaven" refers to God's sovereign rule and reign, both in the present spiritual sense and in the future eschatological fulfillment. It is a kingdom characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Theologically, it represents the realm where God's will is perfectly done, and it is both a present reality and a future hope for believers.

is like yeast
Yeast, or "leaven," in the Greek "zymē," is a small but powerful agent of change. In ancient times, yeast was a common metaphor for influence, often used negatively to describe corruption or sin. However, in this parable, Jesus uses it positively to illustrate the transformative power of the kingdom of heaven. Just as yeast permeates and transforms dough, the kingdom of heaven influences and transforms the world, often in unseen and gradual ways.

that a woman took
The inclusion of a woman in this parable is significant, as it highlights the everyday, domestic context of the kingdom's work. Women in ancient Jewish society were primarily responsible for household tasks, including baking. This detail emphasizes the accessibility and inclusivity of the kingdom of heaven, which operates within the ordinary and mundane aspects of life.

and mixed into three measures of flour
The "three measures of flour" is a substantial amount, approximately equivalent to 50 pounds or more, enough to feed a large group. This detail underscores the abundance and far-reaching impact of the kingdom of heaven. The act of mixing, or "hiding" as some translations suggest, indicates the subtle and often hidden nature of the kingdom's work, which begins small but grows to have a significant impact.

until all of it was leavened
This phrase captures the inevitable and complete transformation brought about by the kingdom of heaven. The leavening process is gradual but certain, symbolizing the pervasive and unstoppable influence of God's kingdom. It speaks to the hope and assurance that God's purposes will ultimately prevail, transforming individuals and communities in profound ways.

(33) The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven.--The parable sets forth the working of the Church of Christ on the world, but not in the same way as that of the Mustard Seed. There the growth was outward, measured by the extension of the Church, dependent on its missionary efforts. Here the working is from within. The "leaven"--commonly, as in the Passover ritual, the symbol of malice and wickedness (1Corinthians 5:8)--causing an action in the flour with which it is mingled that is of the nature of decay and tends to actual putrescence, here becomes, in the mode of teaching which does not confine itself within the limits of a traditional and conventional symbolism, the type of influence for good as well as evil. It can turn the flour into human food--this symbolism is traceable in the leavened loaves that were offered on the day of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:17)--can permeate the manners, feelings, and opinions of non-Christian societies until they become blessings and not curses to mankind. In the new feelings, gradually diffused, of Christendom as to slavery, prostitution, gladiatorial games--in the new reverence for childhood and womanhood, for poverty and sickness--we may trace the working of the leaven.

Descending to the details of the parable, it is at least open to us (as an application of it, if not as an interpretation) to see in the woman, as in the parable of the Lost Piece of Money (Luke 15:8), the representative of the divine Wisdom as working in the history of the world, or of the Church of Christ as embodying that wisdom. The three measures of meal admit, in like manner, of many references, of which we cannot say with certainty that one is more likely to have been intended than another. The descendants of the three sons of Noah, or the Jew, the Greek, the Barbarian, as representing the whole race of mankind, or body, soul, and spirit, as the three parts of man's nature, which the new truth is to permeate and purify, are all in this sense equally legitimate applications.

Verse 33. - The parable of the leaven. Parallel passage: Luke 13:20, 21. The growth of the kingdom regarded in its quiet and secret influence. This is to be ultimately complete and universal. The prophecy is partially fulfilled with every fresh recognition of Christian principles in public opinion, or customs, or laws. For "every thought" shall be brought "captive unto the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven. This is the only passage where leaven is spoken of with reference to its permeating qualities alone, without any trace of the notion of defilement, which the Paschal and other regulations (Exodus 12:15, 18; Exodus 23:15, 18; Leviticus 2:11) so readily suggested. Even in 1 Corinthians 5:6 and Galatians 5:9 this connotation of evil is not altogether absent. In Talm. Bab., 'Berach.,' 17a, it is used as a figure of the "evil impulse" within us. Hence some have interpreted it in a similar sense here, and have understood our Lord to be referring to the spread of worldliness in the Church (especially after the conversion of Constantine); but

(1) this is opposed to the prima facie meaning;

(2) it is unreasonable to insist that a symbol must always have the same connotation;

(3) it is opposed to the idea of deliberate purpose underlying the action of the woman; . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He told
ἐλάλησεν (elalēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.

them
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

still another
Ἄλλην (Allēn)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 243: Other, another (of more than two), different. A primary word; 'else, ' i.e. Different.

parable:
παραβολὴν (parabolēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3850: From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.

“The
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

kingdom
βασιλεία (basileia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932: From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.

of
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

heaven
οὐρανῶν (ouranōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

is
ἐστὶν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

like
Ὁμοία (Homoia)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3664: Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar.

yeast
ζύμῃ (zymē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2219: Leaven, ferment, both lit. and met. Probably from zeo; ferment.

that
ἣν (hēn)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

a woman
γυνὴ (gynē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

took [and]
λαβοῦσα (labousa)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

mixed
ἐνέκρυψεν (enekrypsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1470: To hide in, mix with. From en and krupto; to conceal in, i.e. Incorporate with.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

three
τρία (tria)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5140: Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; 'three'.

measures
σάτα (sata)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4568: A large measure equal to nearly three English gallons. Of Hebrew origin; a certain measure for things dry.

of flour,
ἀλεύρου (aleurou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 224: Meal, flour. From aleo; flour.

until
ἕως (heōs)
Preposition
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

all
ὅλον (holon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3650: All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.

of it
οὗ (hou)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

was leavened.”
ἐζυμώθη (ezymōthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2220: To leaven, ferment. From zume; to cause to ferment.


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Matthew 13:32
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