The Leaven of the Pharisees

Leaven is used in both good and bad sense (cp. Matt. 13: 33; I Cor. 5: 6-8).

The Pharisees were separatists and the Sadducees were a religious/political group.

“6: Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matt. 16).

The Leaven of the Pharisees

Meaning:

“By ‘leaven’ he does not here refer specifically to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees…but to the evil influence which they exercised….Their unsound opinions, their inability or disinclination to enter into spiritual sense of scripture, impaired (dm) their whole system, and made them dangerous teachers….” (Pulpit Commentary).

The Leaven of the Pharisees

Leaven, bad sense:

“Being bred of corruption and spreading through the mass of that in which it is mixed, and therefore symbolizing the pervasive character of evil…” (W.E. Vine).

The Leaven of the Pharisees

1. They trusted in themselves.

A. Luke 18: 9-14.

a. Rom. 12: 3, Phili. 2: 2, 3.

The Leaven of the Pharisees

2. Love for human praise.

A. Matt. 5, 6, 7.

a. Matt. 6: 1-4, 5, Matt. 23: 2, 5, 6-9.

The Leaven of the Pharisees

3. Disrespect for the scriptures.

A. Matt. 15: 3-6.

a. Acts 23: 8, Matt. 22: 23, 32.

The Leaven of the Pharisees

4. Teaching and conduct inconsistent.

A. Matt. 23: 2, 3, 4, 14.

The Leaven of the Pharisees

5. Obsessed with traditionalism.

A. Matt. 15: 2, 3, 9, Mark 7: 8, 9.

The Leaven of the Pharisees

6. The ultimate hypocrites.

A. Luke 12: 1, Matt. 23: 25-27.

The Leaven of the Pharisees

Meaning:

“By ‘leaven’ he does not here refer specifically to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees…but to the evil influence which they exercised….Their unsound opinions, their inability or disinclination to enter into spiritual sense of scripture, impaired (dm) their whole system, and made them dangerous teachers….” (Pulpit Commentary).

The Leaven of the Pharisees

How do we resist such influence?

Humility and sincerity (Jas. 4: 6, Phili. 1: 10).

1. Do not trust in self (Jere. 10: 23).

2. Love praise of God more (Gal. 1: 10).

3. Respect scriptures (Isa. 66: 2).

4. Be consistent (Jas. 1, I Cor. 15: 58).

5. Correctly view tradition.

6. Again, be sincere (Phili. 1: 10).