TWO PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Passage: Luke 13:18-21

Key verse: 18

NIV

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast(A)(B)

18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God(C) like?(D) What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree,(E) and the birds perched in its branches.”(F)

20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[a] of flour until it worked all through the dough.”(G)

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 13:21 Or about 27 kilograms
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Mustard Seed and the Leaven

18 (A)He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like (B)a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”

20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 (C)It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in (D)three measures of flour, until it was (E)all leavened.”

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Like a mustard seed (18-19) Jesus said God's kingdom is like a mustard seed planted in a man's garden. A mustard seed is smaller than a raisin. But it grows into a tree about 8 feet tall, and becomes a resting place for birds. Likewise, God's kingdom looks or starts small, but grows and grows to become a refuge for the weary. 2. Like yeast (2 -21) Yeast is also very small, nearly invisible. But when mixed in with dough, it influences the whole batch to rise. Yeast is like influence. When the message of God's kingdom permeates a life, it changes that person and gives a good influence to a community, like salt and light. The kingdom of God looks small and weak at times, but it is growing and impacting the world in powerful, life-changing ways.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the hope and life and promise of your kingdom. May your kingdom grow in me and make me a good influence in, for and through Jesus Christ.

One Word: The character of the kingdom of God