09.03.18 Mt. 13:33 (See also Lk. 13:20-21)
PARABLE OF THE YEAST
33 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into 50 pounds[1] of flour until it spread through all of it.”
Just as Jesus illustrated his ministry with a mustard seed, He also used yeast as the metaphor. Everyone understood how quickly yeast could spread throughout bread dough. In a similar manner, His Word would spread throughout the world. While at times yeast is symbolic of evil,[2] the use here is obviously in reference to the predicted rapid growth of the church.
[1]. Literally, “three measures” of flour, which scholars believe would be about 50 pounds. See Green, Interlinear Greek-English New Testament; Berry, Interlinear Literal Translation of the Greek New Testament.
[2]. Mt. 16:5-12; Lk. 12:1; cf. 1 Cor. 5:6-13.