Pharisees Teaching

1. The Leaven of the Pharisees
Leaven is used in both good and bad sense
(cp. Matt. 13: 33; I Cor. 5: 6-8).
The Pharisees were separatists and the
Sadducees were a religious/political group.
“6: Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed
and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees
and of the Sadducees” (Matt. 16).

2. The Leaven of the Pharisees
Meaning:
“By ‘leaven’ he does not here refer specifically to
the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees…
but to the evil influence which they
exercised….Their unsound opinions, their inability
or disinclination to enter into spiritual sense of
scripture, impaired (dm) their whole system, and
made them dangerous teachers….” (Pulpit
Commentary).

3. The Leaven of the Pharisees
Leaven, bad sense:
“Being bred of corruption and spreading through
the mass of that in which it is mixed, and therefore
symbolizing the pervasive character of evil…” (W.E.
Vine).

4. The Leaven of the Pharisees
1. They trusted in themselves.
A. Luke 18: 9-14.
a. Rom. 12: 3, Phili. 2: 2, 3.

5. The Leaven of the Pharisees
2. Love for human praise.
A. Matt. 5, 6, 7.
a. Matt. 6: 1-4, 5, Matt. 23: 2, 5, 6-9.

6. The Leaven of the Pharisees
3. Disrespect for the scriptures.
A. Matt. 15: 3-6.
a. Acts 23: 8, Matt. 22: 23, 32.

7. The Leaven of the Pharisees
4. Teaching and conduct inconsistent.
A. Matt. 23: 2, 3, 4, 14.

8. The Leaven of the Pharisees
5. Obsessed with traditionalism.
A. Matt. 15: 2, 3, 9, Mark 7: 8, 9.

9. The Leaven of the Pharisees
6. The ultimate hypocrites.
A. Luke 12: 1, Matt. 23: 25-27.

10. The Leaven of the Pharisees
Meaning:
“By ‘leaven’ he does not here refer specifically to
the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees…
but to the evil influence which they
exercised….Their unsound opinions, their inability
or disinclination to enter into spiritual sense of
scripture, impaired (dm) their whole system, and
made them dangerous teachers….” (Pulpit
Commentary).

11. The Leaven of the Pharisees
How do we resist such influence?
Humility and sincerity (Jas. 4: 6, Phili. 1: 10).
1. Do not trust in self (Jere. 10: 23).
2. Love praise of God more (Gal. 1: 10).
3. Respect scriptures (Isa. 66: 2).
4. Be consistent (Jas. 1, I Cor. 15: 58).
5. Correctly view tradition.
6. Again, be sincere (Phili. 1: 10).