1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
The terminology Jesus used in our verse for today was not unfamiliar to His disciples. We also find in Mark:
14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 "Be careful," Jesus warned them. "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod." 16 They discussed this with one another and said, "It is because we have no bread." 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" "Twelve," they replied. 20 "And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?" They answered, "Seven." 21 He said to them, "Do you still not understand?" Mark 8:14-21 (NIV)
I love the disciples in instances like this because I can so relate! I know at times Jesus wants to say the same things to me! “Are you so dull” and “Are your eyes blinded and your ears unable to hear?” “Pay attention to what I am telling you!” He wanted them to understand or perceive with clarity the actions of the Pharisees. Jesus knew that the influence of the “yeast” of their hypocrisy would permeate the entire “batch” of dough. Just a small amount of yeast can affect a large amount of bread dough. The Bible Knowledge Commentary tells us:
“Yeast was a common Jewish metaphor for an invisible, pervasive influence. It often, as here, connoted a corrupting influence.”
It is no wonder Jesus gives this cautious warning to His disciples here against such pervasive behavior. The Pharisees actions were insidious destroying people unawares. Jesus came down hard on the leaders of His people in regard to their hypocritical behavior. James gives us further insight as to why:
1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1 (NIV)
We find in Matthew another sharp rebuke:
27 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Matt 23:27-28 (NIV)
Feigned characters leading His people straight to hell – it is no wonder the entire chapter of Matthew 23 is given to “Woe’s” concerning the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. We are warned by Paul in I Timothy that in the later times we can expect this same hypocrisy also:
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 1 Tim 4:1-5 (NIV)
We are to be “clear minded and self-controlled” and as Jude states:
20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Jude 1:20-23 (NIV)
We are to be building, praying, keeping, and expecting, merciful, snatching and cautious being occupied with God’s love for us and our fellowship with Him. Like Paul prays for the Church at Colosse, our prayers should also be for God to:
“Fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Col 1:9-14 (NIV)
Then, and only then, will we not be easily swayed by false doctrines that would cause us to fall. The best way to discern false doctrine is to know truth which is, of course, the Word of God.