Most teachers misunderstand the parable of the leaven.
The word leaven is another word for yeast. Many Bibles translate the original word as yeast instead of leaven. So for this article, if your Bible has “yeast” in this passage, just insert leaven instead. And yes, the pun is intentional.
Here’s the passage, and like most parables, it is Bible prophecy because it predicts future events. Specifically, it tells us what the Kingdom of Heaven will be like before the return of Christ.
The Leaven
Matthew 13: 33-35
He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”
All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable.
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES;
I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.”
Basic hermeneutics
Hermeneutics refers to the proper use of accepted methods or principles of interpretation of the Bible. Good Hermeneutics, good study principles, requires that Bible students be consistent in how they interpret scriptures from the first book to the last.
One of the most basic principles of Bible study is the consistency of interpretation. Since God is the true author of the Bible, the message and even the terminology are consistent throughout the book. A word that an Old Testament prophet used is often connected by inspiration to what a New Testament writer also used. Symbols, words, types, and yes, the word leaven, are used in consistent ways throughout the scriptures.
And for that reason, I object to the way most Bible commentators interpret this passage of scripture. Leaven was a symbol of sin in the Old Testament. That should carry over into the New Testament.
Consider the following verses.
1 Corinthians 5:7 Purge out the old leaven
Purge (clean out) the old leaven that you may be fresh (new) dough, still uncontaminated [as you are], for Christ, our Passover [Lamb], has been sacrificed.
In this amplified version, we see that the Apostle Paul does the work for us by explaining that leaven represented the sin that needed removal. Paul believed the Church should be like an un-leavened batch of fresh bread.
Galatians 5:9 Leaven is yeast
“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
In this New Testament verse, Paul applies the principle found in the parable. He says a little bit of yeast will permeate the whole batch and ruin it. In a baking setting, that’s good, but in biblical interpretation, yeast represents sin and thus is bad.
Exodus 12:19
Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
This is one of the verses of the Old Testament that established the relationship between sin and leaven. Sin, represented by leaven, was to be expelled from the Jewish households during the time of the Exodus.
Just like Paul does, I believe the Old Testament use of the word should be applied to this parable in Matthew. Most commentators teach that this parable predicts the rapid growth of the Church from a small beginning. It’s nice teaching and seems to fit well, but it misses an important point. It’s like the parable of the tares and the mustard seed in that way. The tares grew up among the wheat, and the birds lived in the mustard tree. Both were unwelcome but were a natural by-product of believer’s interaction with the unbelievers. We are to expect it in every Church until Christ returns.
Sin or leaven is unwelcome in the Church. But we all know sin is prevalent. There are no individuals or Churches that escape the effects of sin. It’s everywhere and must be continually purged. The Church and the individual must take part in regular “baths” to become clean from the constant plague of sin.
The goal that was set for each of us is very high, but it’s a goal we should strive for.
Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Perfection or sin-free living is the goal. We won’t reach that goal until we step onto the other side of eternity, but Jesus walked the path so we could learn from his example. I think the best thing we should do as Christians is to understand that we all need regular baths. Some more than others.
Are you familiar with the verse that some people call the Christian’s bar-of-soap?
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Make sure you use lots of soap.
From the Bible Project
Let me know what you think.