Matthew 13:33

Another parable

That interpretation of the parable of the Leaven (Matthew 13:33) which makes (with variation as to details) the leaven to be the Gospel, introduced into the world ("three measures of meal") by the church, and working subtly until the world is converted ("till the whole was leavened") is open to fatal objection:

(1) it does violence to the unvarying symbolical meaning of leaven, and especially to the meaning fixed by our Lord Himself. (Matthew 16:6); (Mark 8:15).

See "Leaven," (Genesis 19:3).

( See Scofield) - (Matthew 13:33).

(2) The implication of a converted world in this age ("till the whole was leavened"), is explicitly contradicted by our Lord's interpretation of the parables of the Wheat and Tares, and of the Net. Our Lord presents a picture of a partly converted kingdom in an unconverted world; of good fish and bad in the very kingdom-net itself.

(3) The method of the extension of the kingdom is given in the first parable. It is by sowing seed, not by mingling leaven. The symbols have, in Scripture, a meaning fixed by inspired usage. Leaven is the principle of corruption working subtly; is invariably used in a bad sense.

See "Leaven,"

( See Scofield) - (Genesis 19:3),

and is defined by our Lord as evil doctrine. (Matthew 16:11); (Mark 8:15). Meal, on the contrary, was used in one of the sweet-savour offerings (Leviticus 2:1). And was food for the priests (Leviticus 6:15). A woman, in the bad ethical sense, always symbolizes something out of place, religiously,

( See Scofield) - (Zechariah 5:6).

In Thyatira, it was a woman teaching.

Compare (Revelation 2:20); (Revelation 17:1).

Interpreting the parable by these familiar symbols, it constitutes a warning that the true doctrine, given for nourishment of the children of the kingdom; (Matthew 4:4); (1 Timothy 4:6); (1 Peter 2:2) would be mingled with corrupt and corrupting false doctrine, and that officially, by the apostate church itself; (1 Timothy 4:1); (2 Timothy 2:17); (2 Timothy 4:3); (2 Peter 2:1).

Leaven

Summary:

(1) Leaven, as a symbolic or typical substance, is always mentioned in the Old Testament in an evil sense (Genesis 19:3);

( See Scofield) - (Genesis 19:3).

(2) The use of the word in the New Testament explains its symbolic meaning. It is "malice and wickedness," as contrasted with "sincerity and truth" (1 Corinthians 5:6); it is evil doctrine (Matthew 16:12) in its three-fold form of Pharisasism, Sadduceeism, Herodianism; (Matthew 16:6); (Mark 8:15). The leaven of the Pharisees was externalism in religion. (Matthew 23:14); (Matthew 23:16); (Matthew 23:23); of the Sadducees, scepticism as to the supernatural and as to the Scriptures (Matthew 22:23); (Matthew 22:29); of the Herodians, worldliness -- a Herod party amongst the Jews; (Matthew 22:16); (Mark 3:6).

(3) The use of the word in (Matthew 13:33) is congruous with its universal meaning.