Matthew 13:33

The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven.

In those days. piece of the leavened dough from an unbaked loaf was put among the new dough to cause fermentation. Usually the term leaven is used in the Scripture of evil influences which extend rapidly, but here, of the good and gracious influence of the gospel.

Which. woman.

Some have seen in "a woman" the symbol of the church (see Revelation 12:1), but. suppose that the reason for the use of the term is that the women were the bread-bakers of Palestine.. man is the actor in the parable of the Sower, etc., because men sow the seed.

Three measures of meal.

The usual amount for one baking, an ephah (see Genesis 18:6; Judges 6:19; 1 Samuel 1:24). The leaven is taken from without and "hid" in the meal, or flour. The hidden leaven, though only. small quantity, imparts its qualities to the large mass, till all was leavened.

The Parable teaches that the Gospel is the leavening influence of the world. It does its work silently; it leavens first that in immediate contact, then quietly extends its influence; it, lodged in the heart, leavens the whole life. It will keep working on until it leavens the whole earth.