Matthew 13:33

Kingdom of heaven. [The Leaven, Matt. 13:33=Luke 13:20, 21. Comment: Matthew. On parables see pp. 203-207.] See on chs. 3:2; 4:17. In this parable the kingdom of heaven is represented by the leaven. As the parable of the Mustard Seed represents the extensive growth of the kingdom, that is, in numbers, so the parable of the Leaven represents the intensive, qualitative growth of the individual members of the kingdom. From the human viewpoint the illiterate peasants and fishermen, who at this time constituted practically the only followers of the humble Galilean, might appear most unpromising. But the critical onlooker reckoned without the transforming and elevating power of the gospel.

Leaven. As leaven permeates every part of the dough in which it is placed, so the teachings of Christ would penetrate the lives of those who received them and were willing to be transformed thereby.

In OT times leaven was symbolic of evil. Prior to the Passover service every trace of leaven had to be removed from the homes of the people as being symbolic of sin (see on Lev. 23:6). Christ Himself referred to leaven in this sense, speaking of “the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matt. 16:6, 12; cf. 1 Cor. 5:6-8). But leaven cannot symbolize sin in the parable spoken upon this occasion, for eventually the “whole [lump of dough] was leavened,” and Christ could certainly not mean that His kingdom was to become completely permeated with evil. The “bread” would be aimed. Furthermore, it is fallacious reasoning to think that the same symbol must always refer to the same thing. For instance, both Satan (1 Peter 5:8) and Christ (Rev. 5:5) are referred to under the figure of a lion. See on Matt. 12:33.

A woman. No meaning should be attached to her identity, so far as the parable is concerned. Her presence is incidental, being included only to complete the picture (see p. 204).

Measures. From the Gr. saton, a measure of dry capacity equal to approximately 11 1/2 U.S. qt. (see p. 50). Accordingly, three “measures” would be about 34 1/2 qt., enough meal to bake a very large amount of bread. The amount is only incidental.