33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and
hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” 34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a
parable He did not speak to them, 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things
kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
In this parable the Lord Jesus now compares the kingdom of heaven too a woman who took and hid leaven (i.e. lumps of fermenting yeast dough) in three measures of meal (i.e. flour) until it was all leavened. Now because leaven in the Bible is often used of evil (see Exodus 12:15, 23:8, 34:25; Lev. 2:11, 6:14-17 etc.), and the Lord Jesus Himself used the metaphor for both evil doctrine (Matt. 16:6) and behavior (Luke 12:1, also see 1 Cor. 5:1-8, vs. 6-8; Gal. 5:8-9). This parable is often interpreted to mean that there will be evil and corrupting influences within the outward kingdom of heaven. Now with that understanding, because of the permeating nature of leaven, it appears that the external kingdom itself will be tainted by evil influences and doctrines from evil people within itself, something that is also warned about in passages like (Matt. 24:11-13; 2 Thess. 2:1-5; 2 Tim.4:1-5; 2 Peter 2:1; Rev.2:20-29 etc.). However, it must now also be stated that whatever evil corrupts the outward kingdom those evil forces and influences cannot overtake or overcome the true and everlasting Kingdom of heaven which is also within each and everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 17:20-21). For we are the dwelling place of the Lord Jesus Christ (our bodies being His Temple and our persons equating with His Body) and so it is and will always be the Lord Jesus Christ who preserves us and guides us; who teaches us and sanctifies us by His Holy Spirit will always keep the real kingdom making His bride ready for Himself. Now in Book of Daniel there is also a prophecy that states: “And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.” Daniel 11:35
And so, though some true believers will fall during this dark time preceding the Lord Jesus return and His setting up His everlasting Kingdom, through their fall God will work out His plans and designs for us all to sanctify and purify us so as to make us all who believe in Him ready for the time of the end. Therefore, beloved do not lose heart at the external corruptions of the Kingdom of heaven that you see unfolding, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:15-17
Vs. 34-35 34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
And so it is that when Jesus revealed the most intimate mysteries about the kingdom of heaven He did so by way of parables because those mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven belong to us who truly belong to it (Matt. 13:16). Therefore, the Scripture says that the Lord Jesus Christ did not speak to the multitudes without a parable: 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
Commentary
Vs.
33 Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and
hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”In this parable the Lord Jesus now compares the kingdom of heaven too a woman who took and hid leaven (i.e. lumps of fermenting yeast dough) in three measures of meal (i.e. flour) until it was all leavened. Now because leaven in the Bible is often used of evil (see Exodus 12:15, 23:8, 34:25; Lev. 2:11, 6:14-17 etc.), and the Lord Jesus Himself used the metaphor for both evil doctrine (Matt. 16:6) and behavior (Luke 12:1, also see 1 Cor. 5:1-8, vs. 6-8; Gal. 5:8-9). This parable is often interpreted to mean that there will be evil and corrupting influences within the outward kingdom of heaven. Now with that understanding, because of the permeating nature of leaven, it appears that the external kingdom itself will be tainted by evil influences and doctrines from evil people within itself, something that is also warned about in passages like (Matt. 24:11-13; 2 Thess. 2:1-5; 2 Tim.4:1-5; 2 Peter 2:1; Rev.2:20-29 etc.). However, it must now also be stated that whatever evil corrupts the outward kingdom those evil forces and influences cannot overtake or overcome the true and everlasting Kingdom of heaven which is also within each and everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 17:20-21). For we are the dwelling place of the Lord Jesus Christ (our bodies being His Temple and our persons equating with His Body) and so it is and will always be the Lord Jesus Christ who preserves us and guides us; who teaches us and sanctifies us by His Holy Spirit will always keep the real kingdom making His bride ready for Himself. Now in Book of Daniel there is also a prophecy that states: “And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.” Daniel 11:35
And so, though some true believers will fall during this dark time preceding the Lord Jesus return and His setting up His everlasting Kingdom, through their fall God will work out His plans and designs for us all to sanctify and purify us so as to make us all who believe in Him ready for the time of the end. Therefore, beloved do not lose heart at the external corruptions of the Kingdom of heaven that you see unfolding, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:15-17
Vs. 34-35 34 All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
And so it is that when Jesus revealed the most intimate mysteries about the kingdom of heaven He did so by way of parables because those mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven belong to us who truly belong to it (Matt. 13:16). Therefore, the Scripture says that the Lord Jesus Christ did not speak to the multitudes without a parable: 35 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world.”
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
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