Hypocrites in Church? Jesus Explains: The Parable of the Leaven

The last parable in our series, the Parable of the Leaven, is a brief teaching of Jesus, found in Matthew 13:33. This parable, though short in length, carries significant implications about the nature of the kingdom of heaven and the potential for corruption within the church. In this parable, Jesus reveals that false teachings within the church are a key source of hypocrisy in the Church.

Understanding this parable in its historical and theological context is critical to grasping its full meaning and the warning it conveys.

The Symbolism of Leaven

1. Leaven in Biblical Times

In the time of Jesus, leaven was understood to be a small portion of fermented dough that was mixed into a larger batch of dough to make it rise. This process of fermentation was a natural process of decomposition and decay, which is why leaven often symbolized corruption and impurity.

2. Leaven as a Symbol of Corruption

As Martin G. Collins noted in his sermon on March 10^th, 2006, “Physically, leaven is a lump of old dough in a high state of fermentation, or a substance that causes dough to rise (yeast). A natural reason for leaven’s negative symbolism is the idea that fermentation implies a process of corruption.”

Throughout the Bible, leaven consistently represents evil and corruption. For example, during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Israelites were commanded to remove all leaven from their homes, symbolizing the purging of sin and impurity from their lives (Exodus 12:15). In the New Testament, Jesus warned His disciples about the “leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” referring to their hypocritical and false teachings (Matthew 16:6–12; Mark 8:15). Similarly, the Apostle Paul uses leaven as a metaphor for sin and false doctrine, warning that “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6–8; Galatians 5:7-9).

The Misunderstanding of the Parable

1. False Assumptions about Growth

Some interpretations of the Parable of the Leaven suggest that it depicts the Church’s growth and its influence spreading throughout the world, much like yeast permeates dough. However, given the consistent negative connotation of leaven in Scripture, such an interpretation seems unlikely. Jesus’ use of leaven in this parable aligns with its Old Testament significance of corruption. As Collins observed, “In every instance that leaven appears in the Bible, it represents evil; the only exception, some say, is Jesus’ use of leaven in this parable. Knowing its Old Testament significance, however, He would have used the symbol in the same way.”

2. The Leavening Influence in the Church

Instead of symbolizing positive growth, the leaven in this parable represents the insidious spread of false teachings within the church. This interpretation is consistent with other warnings in the New Testament about the dangers of false doctrine. For example, the Apostle Paul admonishes the Galatians about the harmful effects of false teachings, comparing them to leaven that hinders people from obeying the truth (Galatians 5:7-9).

Two examples of such false teachings include:

1. The Prosperity Gospel: This teaching suggests that faithfulness to God will inevitably result in material wealth and physical well-being. While it might attract many followers, it distorts the true message of the gospel, which emphasizes spiritual growth and eternal rewards rather than temporal prosperity.
2. Legalism: This doctrine emphasizes strict adherence to religious rules and rituals as the means to salvation. This teaching undermines the grace of God and leads to a superficial form of religion that lacks true spiritual transformation.

The Intentions Behind False Teachings

1. The Woman’s Good Intentions

In the parable, the woman introduces leaven into the dough with the intention of making it rise, symbolizing growth and transformation. Similarly, church leaders introduce false teachings with seemingly good intentions, such as growing their ministries or attracting more followers. For instance, the prosperity gospel is often preached with the aim of encouraging faith and financial generosity, but it ultimately distorts the true message of the gospel.

The Spread of False Teachings

The parable also illustrates how leaven works its way through the entire dough, symbolizing how false teachings permeate and corrupt an entire congregation. True doctrines, however, are often slow to be embraced by individuals. As Scripture indicates, “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3, NIV). Consider the difficulties encountered by New Testament preachers in their efforts to convey the true gospel.

1. The Apostle Paul in Athens: When Paul preached about Jesus and the resurrection in Athens, he was met with skepticism and ridicule by some of the philosophers (Acts 17:32).
2. Jesus in Nazareth: When Jesus taught in His hometown of Nazareth, He was rejected by the people who knew Him, and they even attempted to throw Him off a cliff (Luke 4:28–30).

In both cases, true teachings faced significant opposition, revealing the ease with which false doctrines can be accepted and spread.

Conclusion

The Parable of the Leaven is a reminder of the dangers of false teachings within the church. It warns us that just as a small amount of leaven can corrupt an entire batch of dough, so too can false doctrines corrupt a congregation. This parable calls us to be vigilant against the spread of false teachings and to hold fast to the true gospel of Jesus Christ. As we reflect on this parable, let us be mindful of the importance of doctrinal purity and the need to guard against the subtle influences of corruption within the church.