Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Christ speaks of spiritual things in earthly pictures, and His disciples hear only bread and butter. They forgot provisions because their minds were filled with better things, which is no small mercy. But mark this: the leaven of the Pharisees, their corrupt principles spreading like yeast through dough, is far more dangerous than an empty pantry, and disciples stand most in peril from hypocrites who cloak their poison in piety.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 16:5-12
Then Jesus said unto them,.... Either taking occasion from the disciples observing that they had forgot to take bread with them, or on account of what passed between him and the Pharisees and Sadducees, he gave the following advice to his disciples; take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Verses 6-8. Take heed, etc. That is, be cautious, be on your guard. The leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Leaven is used in making bread. Its use is to pass through the flour, and cause it to ferment or to swell, and become light. It passes secretly, silently, but certainly. None can see its progress. So it was with the doctrines of the Pharisees.