Matthew 16:6

KJV

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Take heed {G3708} and {G2532} beware {G4337} of {G575} the leaven {G2219} of the Pharisees {G5330} and {G2532} of the Sadducees {G4523}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So when Yeshua said to them, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against the hametz of the P'rushim and Tz'dukim,"

Berean Standard Bible

“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

American Standard Version

And Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 16:6, Jesus issues a profound warning to His disciples, urging them to exercise extreme caution regarding the insidious "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees. This metaphorical warning transcends a mere concern about physical bread, pointing instead to the corrupting influence of their doctrines, hypocrisy, and worldly rationalism that could subtly undermine genuine faith and spiritual truth. It serves as a crucial call for spiritual discernment, highlighting the pervasive danger of false teaching and ungodly attitudes within religious leadership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This warning immediately follows a pivotal interaction where the Pharisees and Sadducees demanded a sign from heaven from Jesus, despite having just witnessed His miraculous feeding of the four thousand in the preceding chapter ([Matthew 15:32-39](/matthew/15-32-39 "Matthew 15:32-39 - Feeding the Four Thousand")). Jesus rebuked their spiritual blindness, lamenting their inability to discern "the signs of the times" ([Matthew 16:1-4](/matthew/16-1-4 "Matthew 16:1-4 - Demand for a Sign")). As Jesus and His disciples crossed the sea, the disciples realized they had forgotten to bring bread, leading to their initial misunderstanding of Jesus' metaphorical use of "leaven" as a literal concern about physical food ([Matthew 16:5-7](/matthew/16-5-7 "Matthew 16:5-7 - Disciples Forget Bread")). Jesus' subsequent clarification in [Matthew 16:11-12](/matthew/16-11-12 "Matthew 16:11-12 - Disciples Understand") reveals that He was speaking of the "doctrine" of these religious sects, setting the stage for Peter's confession of Christ's identity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Pharisees and Sadducees represented the two dominant Jewish religious and political factions of Jesus' day. The **Pharisees** (from the Aramaic *perishaya*, "separated ones") were a popular lay movement known for their zealous adherence to the Mosaic Law and their extensive oral traditions, which they considered equally authoritative as the written Torah. While many were sincere, their emphasis on outward purity and meticulous observance often led to legalism, self-righteousness, and hypocrisy, as frequently condemned by Jesus (e.g., [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). The **Sadducees** were an aristocratic priestly class, largely controlling the Temple and its rituals. They were politically powerful and conservative, accepting only the written Torah as authoritative and rejecting doctrines such as the resurrection of the dead, angels, and spirits ([Acts 23:8](/acts/23-8 "Acts 23:8 - Sadducees Deny Resurrection")). Despite their significant theological and social differences, both groups were united in their opposition to Jesus, viewing Him as a threat to their authority and established order.

* **Key Themes:** The warning in [Matthew 16:6](/matthew/16-6 "Matthew 16:6 - Beware of the Leaven") contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **spiritual discernment**, contrasting the disciples' initial physical understanding with the deeper spiritual truth Jesus intended. It highlights the critical need for believers to distinguish between genuine faith and corrupting influences. Secondly, it elaborates on the pervasive danger of **false teaching and hypocrisy**. The "leaven" metaphor powerfully illustrates how a small amount of error or ungodly attitude can permeate and corrupt an entire system of belief or a community. The leaven of the Pharisees represents **legalism and self-righteousness**, while the leaven of the Sadducees embodies **skepticism and worldly rationalism**, both of which fundamentally undermine the kingdom of God. This passage also reinforces the **authority of Jesus** as the ultimate revealer of truth, capable of exposing the spiritual blindness of even the most esteemed religious leaders.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **leaven (Greek, _zýmē'_):** This word literally refers to ferment or yeast, which causes dough to rise. In biblical usage, leaven often symbolizes a pervasive, corrupting influence that spreads throughout a mass. In this context, it unequivocally signifies the negative, insidious doctrines and practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees that could contaminate the spiritual purity of the disciples and the nascent church.
* **Take heed (Greek, _horáō'_):** Properly meaning "to stare at" or "to discern clearly," this word implies a strong sense of vigilance and mental perception. It's a command to observe carefully, to perceive with understanding, and to be spiritually alert to potential dangers.
* **beware (Greek, _proséchō'_):** Derived from "to hold the mind towards," this term conveys the idea of paying close attention, being cautious about, or applying oneself to something. Coupled with *horáō*, it forms a double imperative emphasizing the seriousness and urgency of the warning, demanding active vigilance and careful avoidance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Jesus said unto them":** This phrase establishes Jesus as the speaker, highlighting the divine authority and critical importance of the ensuing warning. It indicates a direct address to His disciples, emphasizing the personal and urgent nature of the instruction given to those closest to Him.
* **"Take heed and beware":** This is a powerful double imperative, reflecting the Greek *horate kai prosechete*. It signifies an urgent call to extreme vigilance and caution. The disciples are not merely to be aware, but actively to guard themselves, exercising keen spiritual discernment against a specific danger.
* **"of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees":** This identifies the specific, metaphorical danger. "Leaven" symbolizes their corrupting influence—their doctrines, hypocrisy, and spiritual blindness. The inclusion of both groups, despite their theological differences, underscores that both their legalistic self-righteousness (Pharisees) and their cynical rationalism (Sadducees) posed a significant threat to true faith and the kingdom message.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs a powerful **Metaphor** in this verse, comparing the doctrines and influences of the Pharisees and Sadducees to "leaven." Just as a small amount of yeast permeates and transforms an entire batch of dough, so too can subtle, corrupting teachings or attitudes spread throughout a community or individual's faith, altering its nature. This metaphor is effective because it draws on a common, relatable household item to illustrate a profound spiritual truth about pervasive influence. The phrase "Take heed and beware" functions as a strong **Imperative**, a direct command from Jesus, emphasizing the urgency and seriousness of the warning. This dual command underscores the necessity of active vigilance and caution. Furthermore, the passage utilizes **Symbolism**, where "leaven" acts as a symbol for spiritual corruption, hypocrisy, and false teaching, a common biblical motif (e.g., [1 Corinthians 5:6-8](/1_corinthians/5-6-8 "1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - Leaven of Malice and Evil")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jesus' warning about the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees is a profound theological statement about the nature of truth and error, and the constant need for spiritual vigilance within the community of faith. It teaches that spiritual corruption often begins subtly, like yeast, but has the power to permeate and distort the entire spiritual life of an individual or a church. The leaven of the Pharisees represents a self-righteous legalism that prioritizes human tradition and outward performance over genuine heart transformation and God's grace, effectively nullifying the spirit of the law. The leaven of the Sadducees, conversely, embodies a dangerous skepticism and rationalism that denies supernatural truth, undermining faith in God's power and His revealed word. Both forms of "leaven" divert people from the true path of discipleship centered on Christ.

* [Luke 12:1](/luke/12-1 "Luke 12:1 - Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees")
* [Galatians 5:9](/galatians/5-9 "Galatians 5:9 - A Little Leaven")
* [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1-3 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - False Teachers Among You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jesus' warning in Matthew 16:6 resonates powerfully with believers today, serving as an enduring call to spiritual discernment and purity. The "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees, while specific to their historical context, represents timeless spiritual dangers: the temptation towards outward religiosity without inward transformation, the allure of human traditions over divine truth, and the subtle creep of skepticism that undermines faith in God's supernatural power and His Word. We are called to examine our own hearts and the teachings we embrace, ensuring that our faith is rooted in the authentic gospel of grace, not in legalistic performance or worldly cynicism. Just as a small amount of leaven can affect an entire loaf, so too can seemingly minor compromises or unexamined beliefs subtly corrupt our spiritual walk. This passage compels us to cultivate a robust understanding of Scripture, a humble reliance on the Holy Spirit, and a discerning spirit that can identify and reject influences that would steer us away from genuine devotion to Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What forms of "leaven"—whether legalism, skepticism, or other corrupting influences—might be at work in my own life or in the church today?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to "take heed and beware" of subtle deceptions or ungodly attitudes?**
* **In what ways might I be prioritizing outward religious performance or human reasoning over a genuine, heart-felt relationship with God and His revealed truth?**

### FAQ
**What exactly did Jesus mean by "leaven" in this context?**

Answer: In [Matthew 16:6](/matthew/16-6 "Matthew 16:6 - Beware of the Leaven"), Jesus uses "leaven" metaphorically to represent the pervasive, corrupting influence of the doctrines, teachings, and attitudes of the Pharisees and Sadducees. It's not about literal yeast or bread. For the Pharisees, their "leaven" was primarily their hypocrisy, legalism, and self-righteousness, which prioritized human traditions and outward show over genuine heart transformation and God's mercy ([Matthew 23:23-28](/matthew/23-23-28 "Matthew 23:23-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). For the Sadducees, their "leaven" was their skepticism, worldly rationalism, and denial of supernatural truths like the resurrection and angels ([Acts 23:8](/acts/23-8 "Acts 23:8 - Sadducees Deny Resurrection")), which undermined faith in God's power. Jesus warns His disciples because these influences, though seemingly small, could subtly spread and corrupt their faith and the nascent Christian movement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jesus' warning about the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in His very person and teaching, which stand in stark contrast to the corrupting influences He condemned. He is the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), offering true spiritual nourishment that purifies rather than corrupts. Unlike the legalism of the Pharisees, Jesus taught a righteousness that comes from within, emphasizing mercy, justice, and faithfulness, fulfilling the law not by abolishing it but by perfectly embodying its spirit ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). His life demonstrated genuine humility and compassion, exposing the hypocrisy that burdened people with rules while neglecting their spiritual needs. Against the Sadducees' skepticism and denial of the resurrection, Jesus definitively proclaimed and demonstrated the reality of the resurrection through His own triumph over death ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life"); [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - Christ Died for Our Sins")). He is the truth that dispels all worldly rationalism and the power that transcends human limitation. In Christ, believers find the antidote to all forms of spiritual "leaven"—His pure doctrine, His transformative grace, and His unwavering truth provide the foundation for a faith uncorrupted by human error or self-righteousness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 12:1

¶ In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Galatians 5:9

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Leviticus 2:11

¶ No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the LORD, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the LORD made by fire.

Mark 8:15

And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and [of] the leaven of Herod.

Matthew 16:12

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.

1 Corinthians 5:6

Your glorying [is] not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

1 Corinthians 5:8

Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened [bread] of sincerity and truth.