'In coming to the other side of the sea, the disciples had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus said to them, “Look out, and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They concluded among themselves, saying, “It is because we have brought no bread.” When Jesus became aware of this he said, “You of little faith, why do you conclude among yourselves that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand, and do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many wicker baskets you took up? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? How do you not comprehend that I was not speaking to you about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt. 16:5-12; Mk. 8:14-21; Lk. 12:1).’
This passage is an example of the three evangelists having different perspectives on the warning Jesus gave his disciples about the Pharisees and Sadducees. In Mark Jesus was harsh with the disciples who did not understand; ‘Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened (Mk. 8:17)?’ Matthew tried to show that the disciples understood that Jesus was warning against false teaching; 'Then they understood that he was not telling them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt. 16:12).’ Luke warned against hypocrisy; ‘Beware of the leaven—that is, the hypocrisy—of the Pharisees (Lk. 12:1).’ Three different audiences were being addressed by the Evangelists. Matthew’s point is that a good disciple understands Jesus’ teaching and remains faithful to it; he does not accept the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Almighty God, when Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him he said, “There is no duplicity in him (Jn. 1:47).” Free us from the burden of trying to please others and give us the strength to focus on you and to remain faithful to you so that we can understand truth from falsehood and follow a path of righteousness. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
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