Matthew 13:33 – Some Helpful Questions
Matthew 13:33 ESV
“The kingdom of heavenNot a future political territory but a present reality. Jesus said it plainly: entos hymōn — within you (Luke 17:21). Entos means inside — it's the "inside of the cup" in Matthew 23:26; "among you" is the softer rendering, leaning more on theology than on the Greek. The kingdom is not something to watch for out there, pointed to "here" or "there" — it is already within. Synonyms: kingdom of heaven, kingdom of Christ, basileia. More is like leavenIn the biblical symbol-system, leaven is amoral — neither good nor evil in itself. It represents doctrine, teaching, knowledge, influence: the system that permeates whatever it enters and transforms it from within. The type of leaven matters; "the leaven of the Pharisees" is their doctrine, not leaven as a category. Synonyms: yeast, leavening. See Does Leaven Really Mean Sin? More that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”
For Many – An Alarm
- If leaven represents sin, why does Jesus compare the Kingdom of Heaven to leaven?
- What does leaven actually represent?
More Questions
- WHO is the woman?
- WHAT is the three measures of flour?
- WHY does she hide the leaven?
- WHAT does this parable mean?
- HOW does it apply to our lives?
Some Posts on Leaven
Leaven plays such a significant role in Bible symbolism, yet there is a tremendous amount of confusion about what it actually means. These posts may help clarify the meaning of leaven in Scripture:
- Does Leaven Really Mean Sin?
- Was the Passover a Sin Offering? — in Ancient Israel
- Was the Passover a Sin Offering? — at the Cross
- What Is A New Lump? — A Demonstration