When Jesus began teaching in parables, it marked a turning point in His ministry. Early in His mission, His call to Israel was plain: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). But after Israel’s increasing rejection—especially the charge that He worked by Satan’s power (Matthew 12:24)—Jesus began to teach in parables. These parables concealed the truth from hardened hearts while revealing it to those eager to understand.
As Jesus told His disciples:
“The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.” (Matthew 13:11)
This fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy about a people who would hear but not perceive (Matthew 13:14–15). The parables were both a judgment on unbelief and a mercy to the faithful.
From a dispensational perspective, these parables reveal the mystery phase of the Kingdom—the period between Christ’s rejection and His return. The Old Testament did not foresee this interim form. The parables describe the growth, challenges, and hidden realities of the Kingdom’s influence during the King’s absence. They are not Church doctrine but prophetic insights into God’s unfolding Kingdom plan.
Words: 1222 / Time to read: 6 minutes
The Parable of the Yeast
Matthew 13:33
“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
Understanding the Parable
The Yeast: Corruption or Positive Growth?
The image is simple: yeast (or leaven) is hidden in a large batch of flour and works its way through until the whole is leavened. Some see this as a positive image of the Gospel’s spread. But considering the context of Matthew 13 and biblical symbolism, yeast is far more likely a warning about corruption within the visible Kingdom.
Yeast (or leaven) in Scripture almost always symbolizes sin, false teaching, or moral corruption:
- Exodus 12:15 – Yeast was removed during the Feast of Unleavened Bread to symbolize a break from sin.
- Matthew 16:6 – Jesus warned of the “yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” meaning false teaching.
- Mark 8:15 – Jesus cautioned about the yeast of Herod, signifying worldly compromise.
- 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 – Paul warned that “a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough,” referring to sin spreading in the church.
It is unlikely that Jesus, in the same chapter warning of weeds among wheat and birds nesting in the mustard tree, would use yeast as a purely positive image. More likely, it represents the subtle spread of false doctrine, compromise, and apostasy within the Kingdom’s visible expression.
The Woman and the Hidden Action
The woman introduces the yeast, and the Greek word for “mixed” (ἐγκρύπτω, enkrýptō) means “to hide” or “conceal.” This underscores the hidden, secretive nature of the influence. False teaching and corruption rarely announce themselves openly; they work quietly, unseen, until the damage is done.
The Large Batch of Flour
Sixty pounds of flour (about three measures) would yield bread for over 100 people. This indicates a widespread, large-scale effect. The warning is not about small, isolated corruption but a danger that affects the entire visible Kingdom.
How This Parable Fits God’s Kingdom Program
The Parable of the Yeast reveals that the growth of the Kingdom’s visible influence will include the spread of corruption. Just as the Kingdom’s influence grows like a mustard plant, so too will apostasy and false teaching spread within its outward form. This is the mystery form of the Kingdom—not a pure, perfect reign of righteousness (as will occur at Christ’s return), but a mixture of truth and error, genuine and counterfeit.
This parable aligns with the Parable of the Weeds, where false believers grow alongside the true, and with Jesus’ warnings about the last days:
- Matthew 24:11 – Many false prophets will appear and deceive many.
- 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – People will have a form of godliness but deny its power.
- 2 Peter 2:1-3 – False teachers will secretly introduce destructive heresies.
The full, visible, righteous Kingdom awaits Christ’s return. Until then, the Kingdom’s outward growth will be marked by both genuine influence and hidden corruption.
Apostolic Teaching and Church-Age Reflection
Though this parable describes the mystery phase of the Kingdom, its principle applies to the Church’s visible experience:
- Paul’s warnings: False teachers creep in unnoticed (Galatians 2:4; Jude 4). Their influence spreads subtly, like yeast, unless confronted.
- Church discipline: Paul urges the removal of unrepentant sin (1 Corinthians 5:7), echoing the call to purity amid the spread of error.
- Faithful endurance: True believers are called to stand firm in sound doctrine and resist the spread of corruption (Titus 1:9).
Cultural and Historical Context
Yeast in Jewish Life
In first-century Jewish households, yeast was maintained as a piece of old dough added to a new batch—a fermenting agent that spread invisibly. Families carefully managed this process, aware of how quickly yeast worked through dough.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
During this feast, yeast was purged from every home (Exodus 12:15–20). Yeast symbolized impurity, and its removal marked a call to holiness. Jesus’ audience, familiar with this tradition, would have recognized yeast as an image of something undesirable.
The Woman’s Role
Women were the primary bread-makers in Jewish homes. The image of a woman hiding yeast into a large batch would have been familiar—but the hidden action draws attention to the subtle, secretive spread of the influence.
Final Reflection
The Parable of the Yeast is a sobering reminder: not all growth in the visible Kingdom is good. Just as yeast works invisibly, so false doctrine, worldly compromise, and apostasy spread quietly until they affect the whole.
“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” (Galatians 5:9)
Believers are called to discernment and faithfulness. We must hold to sound doctrine, resist compromise, and await the day when Christ purifies His Kingdom at His return. The visible Kingdom’s growth is not always pure, but the King is coming to set all things right.
As Charles Ryrie wrote:
“The parables of Matthew 13 describe the course of the age between the King’s rejection and return, and reveal both the outward spread and inward corruption of the Kingdom’s form during this time.”
Want to Go Deeper?
This post is adapted from my book, The Parables of Jesus: Covert Communication from the King (Grace and Knowledge Series, Book 7). It offers clear, verse-by-verse explanations of every parable using a faithful dispensational lens.
👉 Read the full book on Amazon →
(Includes all parables in Gospel order, Old Testament parallels, and detailed Kingdom commentary.)
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Related
The Parable of the Yeast – Matthew 13:33
Published by Brother Woody BrohmWhen Jesus began teaching in parables, it marked a turning point in His ministry. Early in His mission, His call to Israel was plain: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). But after Israel’s increasing rejection—especially the charge that He worked by Satan’s power (Matthew 12:24)—Jesus began to teach in parables. These parables concealed the truth from hardened hearts while revealing it to those eager to understand.
As Jesus told His disciples:
This fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy about a people who would hear but not perceive (Matthew 13:14–15). The parables were both a judgment on unbelief and a mercy to the faithful.
From a dispensational perspective, these parables reveal the mystery phase of the Kingdom—the period between Christ’s rejection and His return. The Old Testament did not foresee this interim form. The parables describe the growth, challenges, and hidden realities of the Kingdom’s influence during the King’s absence. They are not Church doctrine but prophetic insights into God’s unfolding Kingdom plan.
Words: 1222 / Time to read: 6 minutes
The Parable of the Yeast
Matthew 13:33
Understanding the Parable
The Yeast: Corruption or Positive Growth?
The image is simple: yeast (or leaven) is hidden in a large batch of flour and works its way through until the whole is leavened. Some see this as a positive image of the Gospel’s spread. But considering the context of Matthew 13 and biblical symbolism, yeast is far more likely a warning about corruption within the visible Kingdom.
Yeast (or leaven) in Scripture almost always symbolizes sin, false teaching, or moral corruption:
It is unlikely that Jesus, in the same chapter warning of weeds among wheat and birds nesting in the mustard tree, would use yeast as a purely positive image. More likely, it represents the subtle spread of false doctrine, compromise, and apostasy within the Kingdom’s visible expression.
The Woman and the Hidden Action
The woman introduces the yeast, and the Greek word for “mixed” (ἐγκρύπτω, enkrýptō) means “to hide” or “conceal.” This underscores the hidden, secretive nature of the influence. False teaching and corruption rarely announce themselves openly; they work quietly, unseen, until the damage is done.
The Large Batch of Flour
Sixty pounds of flour (about three measures) would yield bread for over 100 people. This indicates a widespread, large-scale effect. The warning is not about small, isolated corruption but a danger that affects the entire visible Kingdom.
How This Parable Fits God’s Kingdom Program
The Parable of the Yeast reveals that the growth of the Kingdom’s visible influence will include the spread of corruption. Just as the Kingdom’s influence grows like a mustard plant, so too will apostasy and false teaching spread within its outward form. This is the mystery form of the Kingdom—not a pure, perfect reign of righteousness (as will occur at Christ’s return), but a mixture of truth and error, genuine and counterfeit.
This parable aligns with the Parable of the Weeds, where false believers grow alongside the true, and with Jesus’ warnings about the last days:
The full, visible, righteous Kingdom awaits Christ’s return. Until then, the Kingdom’s outward growth will be marked by both genuine influence and hidden corruption.
Apostolic Teaching and Church-Age Reflection
Though this parable describes the mystery phase of the Kingdom, its principle applies to the Church’s visible experience:
Cultural and Historical Context
Yeast in Jewish Life
In first-century Jewish households, yeast was maintained as a piece of old dough added to a new batch—a fermenting agent that spread invisibly. Families carefully managed this process, aware of how quickly yeast worked through dough.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
During this feast, yeast was purged from every home (Exodus 12:15–20). Yeast symbolized impurity, and its removal marked a call to holiness. Jesus’ audience, familiar with this tradition, would have recognized yeast as an image of something undesirable.
The Woman’s Role
Women were the primary bread-makers in Jewish homes. The image of a woman hiding yeast into a large batch would have been familiar—but the hidden action draws attention to the subtle, secretive spread of the influence.
Final Reflection
The Parable of the Yeast is a sobering reminder: not all growth in the visible Kingdom is good. Just as yeast works invisibly, so false doctrine, worldly compromise, and apostasy spread quietly until they affect the whole.
Believers are called to discernment and faithfulness. We must hold to sound doctrine, resist compromise, and await the day when Christ purifies His Kingdom at His return. The visible Kingdom’s growth is not always pure, but the King is coming to set all things right.
As Charles Ryrie wrote:
Want to Go Deeper?
This post is adapted from my book, The Parables of Jesus: Covert Communication from the King (Grace and Knowledge Series, Book 7). It offers clear, verse-by-verse explanations of every parable using a faithful dispensational lens.
👉 Read the full book on Amazon →
(Includes all parables in Gospel order, Old Testament parallels, and detailed Kingdom commentary.)
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Related