The kingdom of heaven is likened to leaven. If leaven referred to 'sin' as some people say, this verse makes no sense. But leaven is 'teaching' as seen above. The number [[three]], in this parable, says the [[woman]] hid God's teaching, as a hint of the Trinity. Three portions of leaven are hidden in three lumps of [[meal]]. Meal is the harvest of the field (the church) which has gone through threshing and grinding (tribulation). There are three portions of meal because the church also belongs to God. Since we are 'like' Christ, because the three portions of meal also refer to the teaching which is hidden in Christ as God. But who church is the woman? Mary taught Jesus what she knew of the teaching body of God. And Christ taught the church. (see [[Woman as Christ]])