16. This woman that I healed is our Jewish sister. But Satan has held her for 18 years. Surely it is not wrong for her to be freed from her sickness on a Sabbath day!”
17. When Jesus said this, all the men who were criticizing him were ashamed. And all the people were happy for the wonderful things Jesus was doing.
18. Then Jesus said, “What is God’s kingdom like? What can I compare it with?
19. God’s kingdom is like the seed of the mustard plant. A man plants this seed in his garden. The seed grows and becomes a tree. The wild birds build nests on its branches.”
20. Jesus said again, “What can I compare God’s kingdom with?
21. It is like yeast that a woman mixes into a big bowl of flour. The yeast makes all the dough rise.”
22. Jesus was teaching in every town and village. He continued to travel toward Jerusalem.