Matthew 16:12 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 16:12 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“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.”

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. The disciples' eventual understanding: the leaven is the teaching. The teaching of the Pharisees (tradition over commandment, outward observance without heart-alignment) and the Sadducees (denial of resurrection, skepticism about spiritual reality) are the pervasive influences that the disciples must guard against.

Church Fathers on Matthew 16:12

As the Lord had left the Pharisees on account of their unbelief, so now He teaches His disciples to be on their guard against their doctrine; whence it follows, 'And when His disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.'
Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation · non occ.

They were bound to their Master with so great affection, that they were unwilling to part from Him for even a moment of time. And herein it should be observed how far they were from any longing for delicacies, when they took so small care for necessaries, that they had even forgotten to take bread, without which human weakness cannot support itself.
Remigius · 9th century

Herein the Apostles are admonished not to be partakers in the doctrine of the Jews; for the works of the Law were established to produce faith, and to prefigure the things that were to follow; and they on whose times truth itself had chanced should look for no further types of truth; lest the teaching of the Pharisees, which knew not of Christ, should stay the effect of Gospel truth.
Hilary of Poitiers · 4th century

Read all 13 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a reflection on this verse

No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!