Leaven of the Pharisees

Text: Matthew 15:32-16:12

Matthew 15:32–16:12 ESV

32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” 33 And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” 34 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35 And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 38 Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan. 1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed. 5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Jesus Feeds the 4,000

Matthew 15:32–39 ESV

32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” 33 And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” 34 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35 And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 38 Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.

Some have argued that this story is a copy of the feeding of the 5,000 which was accidentally inserted into the gospels during a copying error. But, the gospels themselves indicate otherwise:

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 9: Matthew–Mark (Revised Edition) Overview

both

Matthew 16:9–11 ESV

9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 9: Matthew–Mark (Revised Edition) Overview

the differences between the two miracles are impressive (cf. Maier): (1) the different numbers, five thousand and four thousand; (2) the different locales, northeast shore and southeast shore of Galilee (clearest in Mark); (3) no mention of grass in the second story, implying a different season of the year; (4) a different supply of food at the beginning; (5) a different number of basketfuls of leftovers, and even different words for “basket”; and (6) the longer stay of the people in the second miracle (v. 32).

Think back to the previous passage (Mt 15:21, 15:31). Look at the parallel passage in Mark 7:31. Where does this miracle take place, and who is the primary audience in this miracle—Jews or Gentiles? In the Decapolis; Gentiles are the audience.

What does Mt. 15:32 tell us about the devotion of the people listening to Jesus’ teachings? They were very devoted to his teaching; they had been with him for three days straight and were so exhausted and hungry Jesus feared they would collapse on their journey home if they left without food.

What is ironic about the disciples’ reply to Jesus in verse 33? Jesus had performed the exact same miracle before, yet it never occurred to them to ask Jesus to do it again.

Discuss: Can you think of a time when God provided for you and you later struggled to have faith in an almost identical circumstance?

In this context, what is significant about the disciples distributing the multiplied loaves and fishes in v. 36? This was a Gentile audience. Jews were forbidden from eating with Gentiles in the OT Law, yet here, Jesus spreads a banquet for both Jews and Gentiles.

How many loaves did Jesus start with, and how many baskets of leftovers did they collect? What do you think this number signifies? Seven. “Usually symbolic of perfection or completion; here the number may symbolize the fullness of God’s provision for all peoples, now including Gentiles. As Israel rejects the kingdom, Gentiles increasingly come into view.” (ESV Study Bible)

Pharisees and Sadducees Demand Signs

Matthew 15:39 indicates a change of setting. Where did they relocate to (look for Magdala on the map)? Was this a primarily Gentile or Jewish area? They went to the region of Magadan (probably an alternate spelling of Magdala). This was a Jewish region.

Matthew 16:1–4 ESV

1 And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.

Why did the Scribes and Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign? What was this sign supposed to prove? Jesus’ teachings and actions had hinted at his identity as the Messiah. The Scribes and Pharisees didn’t believe this, so they asked him to prove it by performing miracles.

Asking for signs is a common theme amongst unbelievers in the gospels. Skim these passages: Matthew 12:38-39; 16:1-4; 24:3-5. Why does Jesus not rebuke the disciples for asking about signs in Mt. 24, while he does rebuke the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees in Mt. 12 and Mt. 16? What is the difference between this request for signs and those of the scribes and Pharisees? The Scribes and Pharisees asked for signs after refusing to believe the signs Jesus had already given. Their request for signs was disingenuous and did not proceed from faith. The disciples’ request in Mt. 24 was rooted in faith that Jesus would come again in his Kingdom and a genuine desire to recognize it and be a part of that Kingdom.

Matthew 12:38–39 ESV

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Matthew 24:3–5 ESV

3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 16

The Pharisees and Sadducees (see note on 3:7) were often bitter opponents, but they joined forces against Jesus, whom they saw as a threat to their leadership and power. They came to Jesus not out of need or genuine faith but to test him. They were seeking a sign or miracle to use against him.

What does Jesus mean by the sign of Jonah, and how does this relate to Jesus’ claims to be Messiah? (see Mt. 12:39-42) Matthew 12:40 “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” The sign of Jonah refers to the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection. His resurrection validated his claims to be Messiah, because only God can raise the dead. If God raised Jesus, then God had validated Jesus’ claims.

Is it right or OK to ask God for a sign to prove he exists? Scripture is clear in Rom. 1 and Ps. 19 that Creation is already a universal sign of God’s existence, and Jesus’ resurrection (Mt. 16:4) is the proof of his claims and offer of salvation. While God may sometimes answer such requests (usually of those who do so in ignorance), asking God for a sign displays a lack of faith that God typically does not honor with a response. The ultimate signs are the Creation and the Resurrection of Christ.

Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees

Matthew 16:5–12 ESV

5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began discussing it among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? 11 How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

What does Jesus’ metaphor about leaven have to do with the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees? Explain the metaphor. Just as a little yeast is all that is required to permeate a loaf of bread, so a little bit of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees can spread and corrupt the church.

Why did Jesus view the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees as dangerous? The Pharisees piled on so many extra religious rules that they overly burdened the average believer, and distracted and detracted from the main points of the Law. Their approach encouraged legalism and self-righteousness, which prevent people from being saved. The Sadducees did not accept anything but the Torah as Scripture, didn’t believe in the resurrection or afterlife, and were willing to compromise almost anything to keep the status quo. Both rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Following either of their teachings would lead one to Hell.

Discuss: Is doctrine and biblical teaching important to you, or do you view it as for pastors, missionaries, Bible teachers, and “super-Christians”? What are the dangers in forsaking doctrine?

Examples of important, nuanced doctrinal differences:

Catholic definition of grace the path of salvation is essentially works-based

Mormons, JW’s, some Pentecostals, and some other cults are non-trinitarian.

1 Timothy 4 ESV

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.