Opinions on the meaning of this New Testament parable [exerpt included]?

Question

No answers from the "why would you want to read that" camp please. I am an agnostic reading the bible because I want to know what all the fuss is about.

He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour untill it worked all through the dough."
[New International Bible, Matthew 13, v.33]

I can see how it may be as yeast in the population (raising and changing them), but I do not see the relevance of the amount of flour or the fact that it is made to dough. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks Bobby Jim, it seems like I need to find another version to compare and contrast what I've got with.

Answer 1

The general thrust of this parable is the same as that of the mustard seed. The kingdom produces ultimate consequences out of all proportion to its insignificant beginnings.
If there is a distinction between this parable and the last one, it is that the mustard seed suggests extensive growth and the yeast intensive transformation. The yeast doesn't grow, it permeates; and its inevitable effect, despite the small quantity used, recalls 5:13. In both parables it is clear that at present the kingdom of heaven operates, but quietly and from small beginnings.

Answer 2

Don't dig too deep :). Parables were quick little thrusts to expose a point (though the Fathers have found deep meanings in them, but I am not skilled enough to extract them).

Basically, the dough is the people and the Church. The yeast, the faith of Christ, and when placed in the flour, it transforms it into something else. Most likely, "three" indicates divinity (the number of Trinity). The flour after being leavened is engodded and made one with God.

That's all I get out of it at the moment. Perhaps in the future, God will open my eyes to see something more.

Answer 3

Jesus was talking to everyday common people and they understood dough and bread. They also understood yeast. So it made sense to them that the yeast is miked through the dough. The Kingdom of God is being mixed though the whole population so that it all can be made into the kingdom of God. There is no real relevance to the amount of flower, but that it could have been the amount needed to make dough correctly back then.

Answer 4

You seem to understand the parable rather better than many preachers who supposedly have studied the bible for some time. The idea is a small amount of information about the kingdom of heaven changes the life of nations and makes a difference in how people see things. Until quite recently people had little information and a single page of the Gospel changed lives.

Answer 5

Good question:

13:31-35 The scope of the parable of the seed sown, is to show that the beginnings of the gospel would be small, but its latter end would greatly increase; in this way the work of grace in the heart, the kingdom of God within us, would be carried on. In the soul where grace truly is, it will grow really; though perhaps at first not to be discerned, it will at last come to great strength and usefulness. The preaching of the gospel works like leaven in the hearts of those who receive it. The leaven works certainly, so does the word, yet gradually. It works silently, and without being seen, Mr 4:26-29, yet strongly; without noise, for so is the way of the Spirit, but without fail. Thus it was in the world. The apostles, by preaching the gospel, hid a handful of leaven in the great mass of mankind. It was made powerful by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts, who works, and none can hinder. Thus it is in the heart. When the gospel comes into the soul, it works a thorough change; it spreads itself into all the powers and faculties of the soul, and alters the property even of the members of the body, Ro 6:13. From these parables we are taught to expect a gradual progress; therefore let us inquire, Are we growing in grace? and in holy principles and habits?

Answer 6

KJV
Mt. 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.
Two more passages:
1Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

The insight is similar to the enrichment process that you mention. The issue is not for a specific amount, but that it is distributed throughout the whole mix.

It is conversely analagous to "one bad apple spoils the bushell."
Consider also, the light that a single candle throws out.
The more candles, the brighter the room, until darkness is dispelled.

Answer 7

This was an unusual parable indeed and probably confused many because in that culture, yeast was a symbol for sin, not holiness. It would be like Jesus saying that the KOG was like cancer, once it gets into you, it spreads everywhere taking over your body using it for your purpose. (as yeast does to bread) But in a good way!

I think the idea is once yeast is properly applied to dough, it is very instrumental in transforming the bread into a valuable appealing product as we are turned into valuable products that are pleasing to God after recieved the Gospel, and he is able to use us for good.

Think of it this way, your wife wants to impress your mom when she comes over to dinner. Together you both prepared a great meal but it is incomplete without hot fresh bread. But you find that the ingredients you bought turned out to be inferior, expired and contaminated. Rather than serve nothing, you told your wife to go ahead and bake up all the dough and only the ones that rose and turned out well you would serve and present to your guests. All the ones that failed would be tossed into the garbage and not even the dog would be interested in it.

I believe this is the meaning fo that parable.

Answer 8

The yeast is the word of God and the flour is humanity and the dough is the church formed by those who come to believe and accept the word.

Answer 9

A lump of dough left to itself remains just what it is, a lump of dough. But when the leaven is added to it a transformation takes place which produces rich and wholesome bread when heated -- the staple of life for humans.