Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the yeast 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
Leaven passes silently through flour, unseen yet certain in its work; so the Pharisees' doctrines were insinuating and artful, concealing their real tendency while infusing themselves into the mind. The disciples missed this because they rarely heard leaven used for doctrine, and Jewish rules about bread made them think He warned against buying from these groups.
AI summary
By leaven Christ means their doctrine, the traditions of men, free will, justification by works for the Pharisees; denial of resurrection, angels, and spirits for the Sadducees. These spread secretly and artfully like leaven through flour, infecting minds and swelling them with pride. Watch and guard yourselves against such infection.
AI summary