Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 13:21
It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
21. It is like leaven ] Except in this parable, leaven in Scripture (being connected with corruption and fermentation) is used as the type of sin. See Luk 12:1; Exo 12:1; Exo 12:15-20 ; 1Co 5:6-8; Gal 5:9. Here, however, the only point considered is its rapid, and unseen, and effectual working.
in three measures of meal ] The verisimilitude, simplicity, and vividness of the parables arise from the natural and specific details introduced into them. To press these into separate lessons only leads to arbitrary exegesis and false theology. Probably the ‘three measures’ are only mentioned because they are the ordinary amount which a
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 21. Like leaven] See this explained, Mt 13:33.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
It is like leaven,…. 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 seduces the servants of God, Re 2:20
and hid in three measures of meal: among a few of God’s people at first, both among Jews and Gentiles,
till the whole was leavened; until all the elect of God are gathered in, and evangelized by it; even the whole fulness of the Gentiles, and all the people of the Jews, which shall be saved in the latter day; but if the parable is to be understood of the false doctrine and discipline of the Antichristian and apostate church of Rome, it may denote the small beginnings of the mystery of iniquity, which began to work in the apostle’s time by the errors and heresies then propagated, and the manner in which the man of sin was privately introduced; whose coming is after the working of Satan, with signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, first among a few, and then more, until at length the whole world wondered after the beast, 2Th 2:7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Leaven. See on Mt 12:33.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “It is like leaven,” (homoia estin zume) “it is similar to leaven,” or to be compared with leaven, as also referred to Mat 13:33. Both the little mustard seed and the leaven refer to the influence of the church growth in the world.
2) “Which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal,” (hen lablusa gune ekrupsen eis aleurou sata tria) “Which a woman, having received, then hid in three measures of meal,” perhaps the amount needed for a substantial family meal, Gen 18:6. The church, as the government of Jesus Christ, contrary to normal usage of the term leaven, is here pictured as bearing and sharing the bread of life, to and with the whole world, Ecc 11:1-6.
3) “Till the whole was leavened.” (heos ou ezurmothe holon) “Until all the meal was leavened.” Christ was that bread of life who was “leavened for us … .. made sin for us,” when He “bare our sins in His own body on the tree,” 1Pe 2:24; This He did that we might partake or eat of Him and live forever, Joh 6:51; Joh 6:58; John 11.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
“It is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until it was all leavened.”
But He has another purpose in the second illustration and that is to introduce women into the equation. So He selects as His second example a woman’s occupation, bread-making. The woman puts a little leaven in the flour and soon it spreads throughout the whole. In the same way, so should women (and all) spread the Good News of the Kingly Rule of God from one to another until it has reached all.
Leaven is a piece of dough kept back from the previous batch which has fermented. It is put within the new dough and ferments the whole, until the whole is affected. And here the thought is that it is used because it results in a better product. It is an apt picture of the God’s word. It is introduced from outside and commences its work once it is received, and goes on until the whole is affected. It stands here too as a warning. Do not think that you can receive but a little of Christ. Once Christ is allowed in He will not cease His work until the whole is transformed.
‘Three measures of meal.’ A standard measurement signifying sufficient for the task in hand.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Luk 13:21 . Introduction of a new act in the progress of the journey (Luk 9:57 , Luk 10:38 , Luk 17:11 ). The mention of the journey holds the historical thread.
. .] teaching, and at the same time , etc.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Ver. 21. See Mat 13:33 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
leaven. See note on Mat 13:33.
in. Greek. eis. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Luk 13:21. , hid in) so that the leaven seemed to be quite absorbed by the dough.-) The words, , seem to have been introduced into the text here from Matthew: I have, as I think, demonstrated clearly enough in my Apparatus Crit. that the very ancient Italic Version had . And the steady testimony of Ambrose to the same is exhibited, not merely in his commentary on this passage, but also in his Fifth Discourse.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
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, 1Co 5:6, Phi 1:6, Phi 1:9-11, 1Th 5:23, 1Th 5:24, Jam 1:21
Reciprocal: Mar 4:30 – General Gal 5:9 – General