Anchor My Faith

The Leaven of the Pharisees

Scripture: Matthew 10:26; Luke 12:1, 3

Having just finished a section dealing with hypocrisy, we are ready to start a new section which is about learning to fear God and not people.

^{Lk 12:1} “In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ^{Mt 10:26} So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ^{Lk 12:3} Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.”’

As Jesus continued to teach with authority and validate who he said he was with power, the crowds continued to grow to where several thousand at a time were coming together to hear him. Following Pentecost, the crowds continued to grow with three thousand souls saved after one of Peter’s sermons (Acts 2:41). As the number of believers grew so did the opposition and finally the high priest rose up and had the apostles put in prison (Acts 5:17), but during the night an angel of the Lord came and released them (Acts 5:19). The next day they continue to proclaim the gospel and were again arrested, but this time Gamaliel spoke and gave the advice to “keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So, they took his advice” (Acts 5:38 – 39 ESV). The fact that the crowds that were following Jesus continued on after his death, resurrection and ascension is evidence that this movement was of God and not man and that Jesus is indeed God.

As the crowds gathered, Jesus began teaching his disciples first and told them to “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” This “leaven” was not yeast but fermented dough as yeast was uncommon in the ancient world. A little of this fermented dough would be left from a previous batch of dough and would be added to a new batch of dough. Leaven is used here as a metaphor for the self-centered, hypocritical approaches of the Pharisees that we have covered in previous lessons. Like the affect of leaven on a batch of dough, the evil influence of the Pharisees can spread among the people, so Jesus told them to “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees.”

Jesus instructs his disciples to have no fear of the Pharisees for in time their sin will be found out (Numbers 32:23). People may cover their sin, for a while, under the best of names, but before long it will all be revealed to their great shame. That which is held under disguise will one day be brought out into the light and one’s true character revealed. It may not occur in this life, but it will happen.

Therefore, be careful what you say “in the dark” or what you “whisper in private rooms” because it will become known. Be assured, your sin will find you out.

Conclusion

If a movement is of men, it will eventually die out but if it is of God it will continue. The fact that the Bible and Christianity still continue after centuries of opposition is proof that it is of God. Fear not those who oppose or who hide their sin for they in time they will be exposed for who they really are.