Parable of the Leaven

“To what shall I compare the kingdom of God?” (Luke 13:20 RSV).

Luke 13:20–22 “And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.”

Introduction

The parable of the leaven is a short parable with a single meaning. The Lord gave it to teach a lesson, and as Christians we should learn this lesson. To understand the parable, a discussion of what leaven is and how the parable applies to leaven is necessary.

I. The meaning of leaven.

A. Leaven is any substance used as a ferment in dough or in a liquid. Leaven is any material such as yeast or baking powder that lightens dough or batter in baking.

B. Although leaven may be small in quantity, yet by its influence it thoroughly pervades a thing. Leaven may be used in a good sense, as in the parable, or in a bad sense, as in the proverb “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”

C. The verb leaven means to boil or seethe. This could result in pernicious fermentation.

II. The uses of leaven in the Bible.

A. Most often leaven is used in a negative sense. Here are some scriptural examples.

1. “Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matt. 16:6).

2. “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened” (1 Cor. 5:7 RSV).

B. Sometimes leaven is used in a good sense. This is found in the text of the parable of the leaven.

III. The meaning of the parable (Luke 13:20–22).

Luke 13:20–22 “And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.”

A. The basic teaching is the gradual growth of the kingdom. Jesus was aware that great things grow from small beginnings. This is contrary to the popular idea of a glorious, mighty empire appearing suddenly full grown. Leaven works little by little.

B. A basic comparison is found in the parable. Good is compared with bad in other places in the Bible. Leaven often indicates puffing up or disturbing, souring properties. In this text, however, leaven is thought of as penetrative and energetic warmth.

C. The major teaching is the prophecy of the diffusion of the gospel. We are to understand that the leaven is the Word of the kingdom. The highest sense of the Word is the Lord Jesus himself. This is the new power brought into the world from above, not a philosophy, but a revelation. This power works from the inside out. It begins in the inner, spiritual being but eventually brings about a mighty change.

Conclusion

Each of us needs to be aware of the power of the gospel in our world. We need to keep on proclaiming it and trusting it to bring about the divine result.

Parable of the Leaven