5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” 8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16:5-12)
Here we see that the disciples forgot to bring bread when they crossed to the other side of the sea, and the Lord Jesus said to them: Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples thought that the Lord Jesus meant the real yeast which leavens the dough, because they did not bring bread. The Lord Jesus then talked about the miracles he had performed earlier, using five loaves to feed five thousand people, and seven loaves to feed four thousand people, and the leaven had nothing to do with them not bringing bread, because even they didn’t bring bread, he could feed them. The disciples then understood that the Lord Jesus wanted them to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Earlier we saw that the Pharisees paid attention to the traditions of the ancients and ignored God’s commandments. We have learned the parable of the yeast, it is about the yeast which leavens the whole dough, that refers to sin, wrong teachings that affect the church, and the wrong teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees will also affect people, so the Lord Jesus wants the disciples to beware of their teachings.
May God bless you and your family! 🙏😊
