Matthew 16:12

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

Then understood they that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Bible in Basic English

Then they saw that it was not the leaven of bread which he had in mind, but the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Then they understood that he said not that they should beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Free Bible Version

Then they realized that he wasn't warning them to watch out for bread yeast, but about the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then vnderstood they that he had not said that they should beware of the leauen of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharises, and Sadduces.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

Then they understood that he didn’t tell them to beware of the hametz ·leaven· of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees [Separated] and Sadducees [Morally-upright].

Translation for Translators

Then we understood that he was not talking about the yeast that is in bread. Instead, he was talking about the wrong teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then they understood that he was not telling them to beware of yeast in bread, but to beware of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Noah Webster Bible

Then they understood that he did not caution them against the leaven of bread, but against the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

World English Bible

Then they understood that he didn’t tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Young's Literal Translation

Then they understood that he did not say to take heed of the leaven of the bread, but of the teaching, of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Context

The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees

¹¹How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”¹²Then 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.

Sermons

Christ Is All - in Scripture

Bill McLeod

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Compared View of the First Three Gospels, Etc.

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Summary

In this verse, Jesus warns his disciples to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees, which symbolize false doctrines and hypocrisy. He uses the metaphor of yeast to illustrate how even a small amount of false teaching can permeate and corrupt the entire belief system. This serves as a cautionary lesson for believers to discern and reject teachings that are not aligned with the truth of God's Word, emphasizing the importance of spiritual discernment and adherence to sound doctrine.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then understood they,.... Without any further explication of his sense and meaning, how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread: which sense they first took him in; imagining, because the Pharisees were very particular and precise what sort of leaven they made use of (z), that Christ forbad them buying bread that was made with leaven according to their directions: and since their rules in everything prevailed much in all places, they were concerned what bread they must, or could buy; but now they perceived that he did not speak of this, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. It was very common with the Jews (a) to call the corruption and vitiosity of nature by the name of , "leaven in the lump": hence our Lord calls their doctrine so, because it proceeded from thence, and was agreeable thereunto; and uses the phrase on purpose to expose it, and bring it into neglect and contempt. (z) Misn. Pesach, c. 2. sect. 2, 3. T. Hieros. Sabbat, fol. 3. 3. (a) T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 7. 4. T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 17. 1. Bereshit Rabba, fol. 29. 4. Caphtor, fol. 38. 2. Tzeror Hammor, fol. 73. 2.