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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The Bible tells us that the Israelites were to eat only unleavened bread every year during Passover as a commemoration of the Exodus from Egyptian bondage. Since the children of Israel left Egypt h...
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Dave Larsen
Supporter
Unleavened Bread is a festival that lasts seven days. It starts with a Sabbath and ends with a Sabbath. Seven in Scripture represents compete and/or holy (Genesis 2:2-4). Unleavened Bread is the first of the LORD'S three appointed times. It is a seven day festival that begins with Passover. The first day and the seventh day are Sabbaths. During the festival week no leaven is to be eaten, nor is there to be any leaven in your home. Each of the LORD'S three appointed times and the feasts associated with them reveal aspects about GOD'S plan of salvation. Passover is the sacrifice of the lamb representing Yoshua’s crucifixion. The Feast of Firstfruits is the day Yoshua returned to heaven. Yoshua’s covenant sacrifice that begins the week of Unleavened Bread was intended to set all who follow Him free from sin and death. All who do follow Him are agreeing to hand their house (body, mind, will) over to Yoshua. He then becomes the new owner of the house and cleans out the leaven. Leaven or yeast in the Festival of Unleavened Bread represents sin and false doctrines. Matthew 16:7-12: They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” 8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Following Yoshua is following His example, He submitted His will entirely to His Father's WORD. All who follow Him will do the same and they, too, will be sanctified. John 17:17-19: Sanctify them by the Truth; your WORD is Truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. GOD'S WORD is Amazing!
Oun Kwon
Supporter
The English word 'unleavened bread' is translation of Hebrew Matzah (pl.) and Greek AZUMOS. It is bread baked without letting it rise (remains flat like pizza cake) - not only the leavening agent is not to be used, but dough has to be baked quickly without letting stay in room temperature. It is because leavening itself is caused by naturally occurring yeast in the grain, it only takes water, temperature, and time to start leavening - this is how sour dough is made). In Jewish practice, they bake it at very high temp (about 2000 F much higher than home kitchen ovens can bring) - ostensibly not allowing leavening occur even during baking! As to Matzah (unleavened bread), the word is used not always as in the phrase 'Matzah Festival' (syn. Passover Festival), but also simply as 'Matzah eating' (Mt 26:17 etc.) - it is eaten for the whole 8-day Passover season (Passover day on Abib 14 as well as 7-day Matzah Festival itself on Abib 15 to 21). [You may look into IRENT translation of N.T. in http://tiny.cc/bostonreaders esp. the file 'Clarifying the Passion Chronology', which is also attached to each Gospel - all in PDF file format.]
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
What is the significance of unleavened bread? Unleavened bread carries meaning because it symbolises simplicity, purity, and readiness. Biblical Meaning: Absence of yeast Yeast makes dough rise, but in Scripture it frequently represents moral or spiritual corruption. Its removal symbolises sincerity, humility, and a life free from hidden impurity. Israel's departure from Egypt The Israelites left in haste, with no time for fermentation. Unleavened bread became a memorial of urgency, deliverance, and God's intervention. Passover practice Jews eat matzah during Passover to recall that moment of liberation and the discipline of removing leaven from their homes. Jesus' Parable of Leaven (Matthew 13:33): "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened." Meaning of Jesus' Words: Small beginning A tiny portion is placed in the dough, yet its influence is decisive. It works quietly, unseen, but steadily. Complete transformation The leaven permeates the entire mixture. Jesus uses this to illustrate how God's Kingdom begins modestly but expands until its influence is comprehensive. Hidden growth God's work often starts in ways that appear insignificant, yet it reshapes individuals, families, and communities over time. Why Leaven Often Symbolises Sin Elsewhere In many passages, leaven is used negatively because: It spreads subtly, like moral compromise. It affects everything it touches. It illustrates how small errors or corrupt influences can reshape a whole community. Passover required its removal as a sign of cleansing. Examples include Jesus' warning about the Pharisees' hypocrisy and Paul's statement that "a little leaven leavens the whole lump," referring to unchecked sin. Why Matthew 13:33 Is Different: Here, Jesus uses leaven positively. It symbolises: A small beginning A hidden process A total transformation This time, leaven represents God's renewing influence, not corruption. The same everyday image is repurposed to teach a different lesson. Impact on Jewish Listeners: Leaven normally symbolised impurity, so Jesus' use of it for God's Kingdom was striking. They would have recognised: Leaven's power to spread rapidly Its usual association with moral danger Jesus' point was bold: God's Kingdom spreads with the same unstoppable force, but for good. Rabbinic Background Long before Jesus, Rabbis used leaven symbolically in two main ways: 1. Leaven = Yetzer Hara (Evil Inclination) It represented the inner tendency toward sin—quiet, subtle, and capable of influencing the whole person. 2. Leaven = Corrupting Influence Rabbis applied it to bad company, false teaching, and pride, emphasising how negative influences spread. Early Christians later contrasted this with Jesus' parable, seeing leaven as a picture of how God's Kingdom quietly transforms everything it touches.
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