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Luke 13:21

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 13:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “It is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

It is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.
Luke 13:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?
19It is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his own garden; and it grew, and became a tree; and the birds of the heaven lodged in the branches thereof.
20And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21It is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.
22And he went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and journeying on unto Jerusalem.
23And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved? And he said unto them,
24Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
← Luke 13:20Luke 13:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“It is like leaven, etc.] Which is small in quantity, but is of a swelling, spreading quality; and fitly expresses the small beginnings of the Gospel ministry, and its increase, also the state and case of Gospel churches, and the nature of the grace of God; unless false doctrine should rather be meant, which privately, secretly, and by little and little, got into the churches of Christ, the kingdom of God, and spread itself all over them, as in the times of the papacy: which a woman took; Christ, and his ministers, Wisdom, and her maidens, understanding it of the Gospel; but if the leaven of error is intended, that woman, Jezebel, is meant, who calls herself a prophetess, and teaches, and…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See these parables explained in the notes at Matthew 13:31-32. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Covered up - So that, for a time, nothing of it appeared. Luke 13:24”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:21 It is like the yeast: Leaven can represent evil (see 12:1; 1 Cor 5:6; Gal 5:9), but here it is a positive image of the permeating, transforming power of the Kingdom.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“like: Mat 13:33 \*marg. till: Job 17:9; Psa 92:13, Psa 92:14; Pro 4:18; Hos 6:3; Joh 4:14, Joh 15:2; Co1 5:6; Phi 1:6, Phi 1:9-11; Th1 5:23, Th1 5:24; Jam 1:21 Luke 13:22”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 13 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification