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Explanation for:
Matthew
13
:
33
Another parable he spoke to them: The kingdom of heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Human appetites vary significantly; some individuals delight in bitterness, while others prefer sweetness, some enjoy spiciness, and others favor lighter fare. This diversity prompts the Lord to present a multitude of parables, providing distinct remedies for the varying ailments that trouble the body. In the parable of the woman who mixed leaven into three measures of flour until it was thoroughly blended, I suggest she represents either an apostolic message or the Church, which encompasses people from different nations. The leaven symbolizes the knowledge and comprehension of the Scriptures, which is incorporated into the spirit, soul, and body, fostering unity rather than discord, so that those united can earnestly seek from the Father what they desire. \\n\\nThis passage can also be interpreted in another manner. Plato and various philosophical teachings note that the human soul experiences three powerful movements: the rational aspect (which we might call reasonable), the spirited aspect (connected to anger or wrath), and the appetitive aspect (associated with desires). Plato posits that rationality resides in the brain, anger in the bile, and desires in the liver. Thus, by embracing the evangelical leaven presented in Holy Scriptures, these three movements of the soul can be harmonized into one; reason will cultivate prudence, anger will foster a hatred of vices, and desire will inspire a thirst for virtues. All of this is made possible through the gospel teachings imparted by the Church.\\n\\nAdditionally, there is a third interpretation for those curious enough to explore various perspectives. In this view, the woman symbolizes the Church, which combines the three measures of human faith with belief in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When this mixture becomes a singular leaven, it does not lead us toward a triune understanding of God, but instead towards a comprehension of one divine nature. The three measures of flour, while not differing in essence, emphasize the unity of the divine essence. While a pious interpretation may strengthen doctrinal assertions, we should refrain from becoming overly focused on parables and riddles that could yield ambiguous interpretations. The term 'satum' refers to a specific measure, equivalent to one and a half quatrains in the region of Palestine. Although many other insights can be drawn from this parable, it is not the intention of this discussion to elaborate on all of them in detail."},{"author-name":"Hilarius of Poitiers","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88cb92f12b3278598f946_Hilarius%20of%20Poitiers.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Many have posited that the three aspects of flour pertain not solely to the sacrament of faith, symbolizing the oneness of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, but also to the calling forth of the three nations descending from Shem, Ham, and Japheth. However, I am uncertain whether this interpretation holds, for while the invitation to all the Gentiles remains constant, Christ is not concealed within them but rather made manifest; among such a great number of unbelievers, not everything is permeated with truth. Yet, in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, there is a unity in Christ that does not require external influences for its fullness.\\n\\nThe leaven within flour empowers the entirety of its kind. The Lord analogized Himself to this leaven; the woman represents the synagogue, which is shadowed by the sentence of death and asserts that the law and the prophets have been transgressed by the gospels. However, having infused this with the three portions of flour—equivalent shares of the law, the prophets, and the gospels—He unifies all things, so that what was established through the law and heralded by the prophets finds its fulfillment in the gospels. This is all achieved by the Spirit of God, through His might and wisdom, and nothing else will be leavened by any external source differing from these equal portions of flour."},{"author-name":"Caesarius of Nazianzus","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a176e0f4c3aeca7aee3_Caesarius%20of%20Nazianzus.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"How should we interpret the parable of the leaven? We had an intense discussion about this yesterday. My perspective is that the teachings of God conveyed through parables serve two purposes. First, we need to grasp the literal narrative, and then we must uncover its significance. The kingdom of heaven is likened to leaven, which a wise woman took and mixed into three measures of flour until it was all leavened. I believe that leaven represents the doctrine and the faith that accompanies it. The Lord draws a parallel by calling His beloved, the Church, as the holy Apostle describes. The three measures of flour symbolize the three sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth, from whom all the nations now enfolded within the Church descended after the flood, beginning their journey with faith. The leaven intertwines with the flour of the nations—these three measures, birthed from Noah, blended for righteousness. However, there is another way to interpret this; leaven can also signify the pure and holy Body of the Word of God, formed in the womb of the Blessed Virgin, conceived without human seed and united with both soul and body. Furthermore, the wise woman can be beautifully interpreted as the living and harmonious Word of God, referred to in the feminine form. As the divine Apostle states, \\"Christ is the power of God... and the wisdom of God.\\" The three measures of affliction can be seen as the entirety of human nature, mortality, and the depths of hell, where God's body was concealed after His burial, intertwined for Resurrection and Life. Consider another interpretation: the three measures represent Baptism, the Gospel, and the Sacraments, or alternatively, the Apostles, Prophets, and Teachers. There is yet another layer: they can symbolize the past, present, and future. For the Incarnate Word not only redeemed the living but also resurrected those who had died prior, instilling hope in resurrection and eternal life for us and our descendants. He raised all from the dead, elevating them with Himself. Upon His ascension into heaven, He brought the living to the realm where Enoch and Elijah eternally reside."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"\\"The kingdom of heaven resembles leaven, which a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour until the entire batch was leavened\\" (Matthew 13:33). Just as leaven transforms a significant amount of flour, so too are you capable of changing the world. Understand the symbolism: the Lord uses a phenomenon found in nature to illustrate that His word is as reliable as the natural laws governing the world. Do not doubt the potential of the twelve of you standing among such a large crowd. It is precisely in this scenario that your strength will shine, as you choose not to retreat but to engage with the multitude. Just as leaven must come into contact with flour—deeply integrating rather than merely touching it—so must you forge a steadfast unity with your adversaries in order to triumph over them. Moreover, when leaven is introduced into flour, it retains its potency rather than being lost, influencing the entire mixture. Thus, with your preaching, do not fear the multitude of challenges; amidst them, you shall radiate and conquer all. By referring to three measures, the Lord implies an abundance, as this number frequently represents a multitude. It is not surprising that He spoke of grain and leaven when conveying the principles of the kingdom, addressing simple and unrefined individuals who would ascend to greatness through humble means and required further clarification. Where are the children of the Greeks? Let them recognize the might of Christ, observing the reality before them! Let them revere the Lord, not only as the one who foretold these events but also as the one who fulfilled them. He alone infused power into the leaven, and this is why He has positioned believers within a multitude, so that we may share our insights with others. Therefore, let no one lament a lack of influence; the power of preaching is tremendous; once leavened, it empowers others. Just as a spark kindles a new source of fire upon touching wood and subsequently spreads, so too is the essence of preaching. While the Lord referred to leaven and not fire, it reminds us that fire’s impact relies on the wood as well; however, leaven is self-sufficient in its transformative capacity. If twelve individuals have the ability to leaven the entire cosmos, consider the rarity of our influence, as despite our abundance, we struggle to reform those around us, we who are equipped to be leaven for innumerable worlds. \\n\\n\\"The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour until the whole was leavened\\" (Matthew 13:33). The righteous possess the leaven’s power to shape the wayward to reflect their nature. Are the righteous limited in number, akin to the leaven’s modesty? Yet, this diminutiveness does not hinder the mixture; rather, that small leaven, through its inherent strength, permeates the entire mass (1 Corinthians 5:6). Similarly, the authority of the righteous is not found in their quantity but in the grace of the Spirit. Consider the twelve apostles—how insignificant the leaven appears! The entire universe once lay in disbelief—consider the vastness of that dough! Yet these twelve transformed the entire cosmos to follow their lead. The elements of leaven and dough share a common essence, though differing in quality; thus, God permitted the wicked to coexist among the righteous, hoping they would share the same nature and willful disposition. Keep this in mind to silence the complacent, the feeble, the indifferent, and those who evade the struggles of virtue while casting blame on the universal Sovereign. \\n\\nWhat good is a Christian who does not bring benefit to others, who does not guide anyone toward virtue? Just as salt sustains itself and preserves decaying bodies from spoilage, so should you. If God has made you spiritual salt, bolster and revive the negligent brethren, rescuing them from their apathy as if drawing them from decay, and uniting them with the body of the Church. This is why He called you leaven (Matthew 13:33): leaven does not affect itself but nurtures the larger mixture—vast and significant, even while small and seemingly insignificant. Similarly, though your numbers may be few, let your faith and zeal for God be great and potent. As leaven, despite its smallness, is far from powerless, but rather works diligently through the warmth and strength it embodies, so too can you inspire many others to share your fervor, should you choose to do so."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He likened the kingdom of heaven to yeast that is mixed into dough, for the yeast causes the dough to gradually become like itself. The yeast does not immediately dominate the mixture; rather, it transforms it from within through its inherent power. In a similar way, the gospel of Christ operates. The yeast within the dough also represents the Body of the Lord, indicating its significance in the lineage of Adam."},{"author-name":"Isidore of Pelusium","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88d94130e668938c9ae9d_Isidore%20of%20Pelusium.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The realm of heaven is compared to yeast in the immaculate embodiment of our God and Savior, through whom the entirety of creation is transformed. Through the unity of the one Body, which was shaped from our nature and from the Virgin Mary, all humanity is restored through eternal rebirth."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The Lord refers to the apostles by using the analogy of leaven and the mustard seed. Just as a small amount of leaven can alter the entire batch of dough, so too will you transform the world, despite your small numbers. Satah served as a measure for the Jews, similar to how the Greeks used chinixes or decalitres. Some interpret leaven to signify the preaching, while the three Satas represent the soul's three faculties—mind, emotions, and will. The woman symbolizes the soul itself that incorporates the preaching within all its faculties, mixing and sanctifying it through this divine infusion. We are called to be completely permeated and transformed into the divine essence. For the Lord declares, \\"until all things are leavened.\\""},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Through the parable of the mustard seed, He predicted the growth of faith resulting from the daily inclusion of believers, while the parable of the leaven illustrated its transformative power. The term \\"kingdom of heaven\\" should again be interpreted as the teaching of faith. The woman will take it and hide it in three measures of flour. \\"Sati\\" refers to a specific measure used by the Hebrews. The mention of three here suggests abundance, as this number is often symbolic of many. The woman symbolizes wisdom, or Christ Himself, who brings forth and sustains life: He generates believers through the Sacrament of Baptism and nourishes them with His teachings. The teaching of faith resembles leaven. Just as leaven, though small in size, when mixed with a large quantity of flour alters its nature, giving life to an otherwise lifeless substance, the doctrine of faith, even when not expressed extensively, can transform the souls of many through preaching, ultimately uniting them into one Church body. It leads them towards a new way of living, reviving them in virtue and lifting them toward heaven, all through immense divine power. The doctrine of faith, concealed within the hearts of individuals, will persist until it has gathered all whom wisdom has foreseen. While three measures indicate a multitude, they still represent a specific count. Thus, the might of preaching is profound: once leavened, it serves as leaven for others. Some interpret the flour as representing people and the three measures as referring to Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Like yeast: the interpretation of this parable aligns with the one before it. \\"As yeast mixed into a large batch of flour causes the flour to be transformed by the yeast's power, so you (apostles) will change the entire world\\" (Chrysostom). This also applies to the soul of every individual in Christ's kingdom: the influence of grace discreetly yet genuinely envelops and gradually sanctifies all the faculties of one’s spirit. - \\"Which the woman took,\\" etc.: these serve as images for a more vivid illustration. - \\"In three measures\\": according to Augustine, the three measures represent the three primary faculties: heart, soul, and spirit (cf. Theophilus)."},{"author-name":"Theophan the Recluse","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8983a6e0f4c3aecaae3fc_Theophan%20the%20Recluse.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The kingdom of God is likened to a mustard seed and leaven. The tiny mustard seed eventually sprouts into a substantial bush, while the leaven permeates the entire batch of dough, causing it to rise. This imagery represents both the Church, which initially comprised only the apostles and a handful of followers but later flourished to encompass all of humanity, and the personal spiritual journey of each individual. The initial spark of faith in the Lord Savior—marked by the desire and commitment to attain salvation through faith—is akin to a minute point. At first, this faith only touches awareness and personal agency; however, it sets in motion the entire progression of spiritual life. It naturally expands in activity and strength, gaining boldness, and in relation to the soul, it begins to infiltrate every aspect of our being—our mind, will, and emotions—infusing them with its essence, thus transforming the entirety of human nature—body, soul, and spirit—from which it arises."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The kingdom of heaven can be compared to a beetroot, which a woman takes and mixes into three measures of flour until it begins to rise. The Lord employs natural occurrences in His parables to illustrate the unalterable nature of His word, akin to the steadfast laws of nature. ‘Just as a small amount of leaven affects the entire batch of flour, so you, My apostles, will transform the world, despite your small number. Do not think to yourselves: what can we twelve accomplish amidst so many? Your strength will be made evident in this—that you will endure within this multitude without retreating. Just as leaven influences the dough only when it is incorporated with flour, so too will you prevail when you establish an unbreakable bond and unity with those who oppose you. As leaven, once added to flour, does not disappear but rapidly imparts its qualities to the entire mixture, the same will occur with your proclamation. Therefore, fear not the numerous trials I have mentioned: through these adversities, you will shine and triumph,’ proclaims St. John Chrysostom. \\n\\nWhat could the woman in this parable represent? It seems to signify the goodness of God manifested in Christ, who brings down from heaven the leaven, or the doctrine of the Gospel, and integrates it into three measures of flour — symbolizing the entire human race descended from the three sons of Noah. This life-giving leaven permeates the complete tripartite nature of humanity, sanctifying the spirit, soul, and body, until all are transformed, perfected in Christ, and renewed. The impact of Christ’s teachings on human souls will persist until God’s grace has selected from humanity those eligible to become true children of the kingdom of God. ‘Love,’ notes one commentator, ‘hidden within our souls, must develop fully in order to elevate the entire soul to its perfected state.’ Just as leaven functions only on dough made from wholesome flour, so souls nurtured by virtue will rise; but those dominated by vice, like dough made from stale and briny flour, will not rise regardless of how much leaven is applied. The grace of God does not operate within a soul engrossed in negligence and vice. The Monk Isidore Pelusiot states: ‘The term leaven symbolizes the Incarnation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, seedless as it is, together with His union with our shared humanity, derived from the Virgin Mary, through which humanity experiences rebirth into new life.’ St. Athanasius of Alexandria offers a comforting reflection on this same parable: ‘A person who possesses even a small quantity of virtue, and despite not having fully realized it, has good intentions, will not be disregarded by the righteous Judge when destiny unexpectedly leads to their harvest; rather, after the death of such an individual, God will inspire their neighbors, guiding their thoughts, drawing their hearts, and prompting their souls, so they will be moved to provide help and support. Consequently, as the Lord touches their hearts, they will compensate for the shortcomings of the one who has departed.’"}]}
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