Note 1 at Mt. 13:33: When leaven is used symbolically in scripture, it always denotes something bad. Examples are (1) bad doctrine (Mt. 16:6-12; Mk. 8:15-21); (2) hypocrisy (Lk. 12:1); (3) sin (1 Cor. 5:6-7); and (4) malice and wickedness (1 Cor. 5:8). Using this fact as the basis of our interpretation, this parable would be speaking of Satan (the woman) sowing his disciples into the kingdom of God (the meal) for the purpose of corrupting and rendering the Church ineffective. History and current observation certainly verify that this has happened.

If leaven is interpreted as producing positive growth in the kingdom of God, that would be an exception to the way it is used elsewhere in scripture, but the principle of growth in God's kingdom is an established Bible truth (see note 1 at Mk. 4:21, p. 138; see note 2 at Mk. 4:31, p. 141).