Parable of the Leaven

The parable describes what happens when a woman adds leaven (old, fermented dough, usually containing lactobacillus and yeast) to a large quantity of flour (about gallons or 38 litres). The living organisms in the leaven grow overnight, so that by morning the entire quantity of dough has been raised. In the Gospel of Luke, the parable is as follows: ==Interpretation==

, ca.1860, Aberdeen Art Gallery Ben Witherington suggests that this parable is part of a pair, and shares its meaning with the preceding parable, that of the mustard seed, namely the powerful growth of the Kingdom of God from small beginnings. The picture part is a woman making bread with leaven, the reality part is the kingdom of God, and the point of comparison is the powerful growth of the kingdom from small beginnings. Although leaven symbolises evil influences elsewhere in the New Testament (see ), However, a few commentators do see the leaven as reflecting future corrupting influences in the Church. As with the Parable of the Lost Coin, this parable is part of a pair, in which the first parable describes Jesus' work in terms of agricultural activities of men compared to the second parable with a focus on women's domestic activities. The large quantity of flour may hint at a planned festive occasion, since the bread produced could feed a hundred people. Three measures of meal was the amount used by Sarah to bake bread when she and Abram were visited by the Lord and the angels in Genesis 18. It is also the amount used in baking the shewbread for the Temple of the Lord in Israel. ==Commentary from the Church Fathers==

Chrysostom: "The same thing the Lord sets forth in this parable of the leaven, as much as to say to His disciples, As leaven changes into its own kind much wheat-flour, so shall ye change the whole world. Note here the wisdom of the Saviour; He first brings instances from nature, proving that as the one is possible so is the other. And He says not simply ‘put,’ but hid; as much as to say, So ye, when ye shall be cast down by your enemies, then ye shall overcome them. And so leaven is kneaded in, without being destroyed, but gradually changes all things into its own nature; so shall it come to pass with your preaching. Fear ye not then because I said that many tribulations shall come upon you, for so shall ye shine forth, and shall overcome them all. He says, three measures, to signify a great abundance; that definite number standing for an indefinite quantity." But I hardly think that the reason of the thing will allow this interpretation; for though these three nations have indeed been called, yet in them Christ is shown and not hidden, and in so great a multitude of unbelievers the whole cannot be said to be leavened." ==See also==