Saying 96: The Leaven
The Father's kingdom is like a woman who took a little yeast, hid it in dough, and made large loaves of bread.
Commentary
The first of three consecutive parables with women as the central figure — 96, 97 and, by contrast, the assassin of 98. The verb is “hid”, which in Thomas is never a neutral word.
Parallels
Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:20–21
Sayings on the same themes
- Saying 35 Saying 35: Binding the Strong Man You cannot get into a strong man's house and take it by force without tying his hands first; then you can loot…
- Saying 46 Saying 46: Greater Than John the Baptist From Adam to John the Baptist no one born of women is so far above John that his eyes should not be…
- Saying 114 Saying 114: Simon Peter and Mary Simon Peter says Mary should leave, because women are not worthy of life. Jesus answers that he will guide her so that…
- Saying 97 Saying 97: The Jar of Meal The kingdom is like a woman carrying a jar of meal. The handle broke on the road and the meal spilled out…
- Saying 15 Saying 15: The One Not Born of Woman When you see the one who was not born of woman, fall on your face and worship: that one is your Father.
- Saying 20 Saying 20: The Mustard Seed The kingdom is like a mustard seed: the smallest of all seeds, but when it falls on worked ground it puts out…