Matthew 13:33 mused upon...when leaven is seen as part of the design and as a good thing.

Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.



αλλην παραβολην -  Another parable

{ ελαλησεν αυτοις } -  {He spoke to them}

ομοια εστιν  - 'Like is

η βασιλεια των ουρανων - the Kingdom of Heaven

 ζυμη -  leaven  {i.e., into heat fermenting and expanding}

 ην λαβουσα - which actively taking (and receiving)

γυνη ενεκρυψεν - a woman hid

εις  - into

αλευρου σατα τρια  - meal measures three

εως ου εζυμωθη ολον -  until was leavened /heated and expanded    the whole (of it). 

Some thoughts on the matter:

      Elsewhere, the Gospel in the Greek can seemingly be used to make the point that the unbelievers are like those who are shriveled back in soul and spirit, as if a cup or pitcher's worth of  their spirit /soul as compared to the huge rain barrel size of their spirit's/soul's  original state.   This comes by example whereas the Greek word xeros, as used of the body or body part, such as the hand in its shriveled state (e.g. Matthew 12:10), is linked to xestes.  But that explanation in detail may be saved for another time, but suffice the reference here.

 By example, it seems as there is indication that the souls of all unbelievers (if they were to be seen) are to be likened to dried up prunes, or  a fraction in size and intellectual and spiritual potential of the design they were meant to be in their unfallen state.  Perhaps it might be described as if the souls or spirits were reduced to a semi-living entity that appeared as if tar or syrup residue substances (in their spiritual form, as it relates only to unbelievers)   of what they were originally intended...and that in their restored state, it may be argued that the souls of the born again are restored to be a reflection of a perfect outward copy of themselves as they were meant to be. 

 Though fermentation is used in the context of "corruption" and "evil" in various biblical passages used by Paul (Galatians 5:9 and I Corinthians 5:6)...here in this Gospel passage and in context, it is NOT.  In fact, the process of adding yeast into the flour or grounded wheat or barley meal in order to leaven it, is used to illustrate and help those who wish to know, how that G-D operates in their lives when the new believer lets G-D come and indwell them, placing the Kingdom of Heaven within them.

For this reason, Jesus says:
"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

Zume, or the leavening process, creates its own heat and air; causing an expansion and growing of the meal to that which the process was designed for.

 In effect, the expansion is much like the spiritual process.  No one honestly says that a loaf of French or Italian bread was meant to look like and eat like a flat cracker.  Nor was the believer designed to be void of G-D's presence in their life, as though flat, spirit or airless creatures.

 In Creation, by example,  we are designed to be inflated with water and air...as if physical manifestations of the words "of water and the spirit".   It is with each and every breath we breathe in and out the very NAME of the Most High:  G-D ALMIGHTY.  And that name is of YHVeH Messiah, or Christ who is G-D (Lamentations 4:20), and He who in Genesis 2:7 gave us our the spiritual DNA/RNA that is passed down along with our physical DNA/RNA, but now our souls and spirits are in a fallen state though our first father's lack of faith, until regenerated or reignited (John 1:9) by faith / belief into Him for that restoration and salvation unto eternal life.   In the Bible this NAME of G-D that we breathe constantly is written as it sounds and is the Tetragrammaton. 

Thus, the design of the Kingdom of G-D placed in one's life  -- much like the intentional design of bread is meal that has been leavened by yeast --  is designed to help us spiritually grow into maturity, and be restored to that which is G-D's original and perfect design, even as the plants are now looked upon by G-D as puny and in their shriveled form, as Patristics inform us that Jesus once said: 

“The days will come when the vines will grow, each having 10,000 shoots; and on each shoot 10,000 branches; and on each branch 10,000 twigs; and on each twig 10,000 clusters; and in each cluster 10,000 grapes; and each grape when crushed will yield 25 measures [ca. 150 gallons].


And when one of the Saints takes hold of a cluster, another cluster will cry out,
‘I am better. Take me. Bless the L-RD through me.’


Similarly, a grain of wheat will produce 10,000 heads; and every head will have 10,000 grains; and every grain (will yield) 10 pounds of fine flour, white and clean.


And the other fruits, seeds, and grass will produce in similar proportions -- and all the animals feeding on these fruits produced by the soil, will in turn, be harmonious toward one another, and fully subject to man.”

-- Papias…who was a hearer of John and…saw John the disciple of the L-RD, recalled having heard how the LORD used to teach about those times…and he goes on to say [that Jesus, the L-RD, said]:

‘These things are believable to those who believe.’

And according to John, ‘when Judas the traitor did not believe, and asked, ‘’How then, will such a growth be accomplished by YHVeH?’’, the L-RD said, ‘’Those who live until those times will see.’’ “

Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.33.3-4 (2nd generation student from John)

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That same kind of growth and fullness, like the meal intentionally built up and expanded by leaven, finds completeness in that source placed within us...and we who believe and trust Christ Jesus to our eternal salvation Spiritually grow into that greatness and design that was intended for us to be and become, as we grow into the likeness of Christ Jesus (I John 3:2).

 But no matter how near or far we come ...or even can dare think we come...in this mortal life, we cannot acheive anywhere near any full and absolute spiritual  growth on our own.   That doesn't mean we don't keep trying, because those who love G-D want to manifestly be more like Him (kind, loving, merciful, gracious, etc.).   To one day be made entirely complete, in the Resurrection, in mind and body and spirit and soul to our full unfallen state and fullest potential, it is a gift that G-D gives us to be fully made complete when we pass from this life into the next, and from Judgment into eternal life through Christ Jesus, the Son of G-D.  It is also a gift for we believers in Chrsit Jesus to also look forward to, but in addition to the primary of that fact that we shall one day be with Him .

"...whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

For G-D so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
...And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
...If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be..."(John 3:16, 14:3,  12:26a).  Amen.