Keraia
Matthew 16

Matthew 16:12

The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees · Matthew 16:5–12
Read Matthew 16

Translations

Modern
Then they understood that He was not telling them to beware of the leaven used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Traditional
Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Literal
Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of the loaves, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Latin
Tunc intellexerunt quia non dixerit cavendum a fermento panum, sed a doctrina pharisæorum et sadducæorum.

Original

Greek
English
Then they understood that He was not telling them to beware of the leaven used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Notes

Matthew 16:11–12

Leaven (or yeast) often symbolizes sin and evil (see Exodus 12:8, 15; Leviticus 6:16–17; Galatians 5:9). Here, it represents how deceptive teaching spreads.

Matthew 16:1–12

After being welcomed among the Gentiles (non-Jews), Jesus returned to his own people. There he faced rejection again.

Theme notes and profiles

The Pharisees The Sadducees

Events

Parallels

Mark 8:14–21 Luke 12:1–3

People

Pharisee: A strict Jewish sect known for legalism and hypocrisy Sadducee: A Jewish sect that denied the resurrection and spirits

Glossary

Gospel of Matthew Herodians Jesus Christ Leaven Sadducees

Topics

Apostles: Fail to Comprehend the Nature and Mission of Jesus Christian Minister: Rulers in the Temple Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Jesus, the Christ: Cautions his Disciples Against, the Leaven of Hypocrisy Leaven (Yeast) of the Hypocrisy of the Pharisees Leaven: Doctrines of Pharisees Pharisees: Hypocrisy of, Reproved by Jesus Sadducees: Jesus Warns his Disciples Against The Pharisees: Christ: Declared the Doctrines of, to be Hypocrisy The Sadducees: Christ: Cautioned his Disciples Against Their Principles Unleavened Bread