ISB ~ Matthew 13 v33

like leaven:Sometimes symbolic of evil in the world (16:5-12; 1 Cor 5:6-8). It has positive symbolism here. At one level, leaven represents the grace of the kingdom that sanctifies the world through the Church. At the personal level, leaven is the individual Christian called to bring the gospel to those around him.

three measures:i.e., about 50 pounds of meal, which here symbolizes the world.

The parable thus highlights a great disproportion:the little leaven is hidden yet actively raising a significant amount of meal.