The Book of Matthew?

Question

Jesus said to them, "Look out, and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees Can you tell me what this means and what douse this have to do with the bread they left behind?

Answer 1

Have you ever heard of "Sourdough Bread?"

Before the modern days when yeast could be packaged for use in "new" bread, mothers would hand down to daughters a tiny piece of yeast-rich raw dough to save for when they made bread.

A newly married woman could get a remnant of dough from her mother in law - and blend it with that of her own family's dough to create a slightly different flavor unique - now - to her new home. The remnant dough of every loaf before it - influenced the taste and texture of every loaf to follow it. If you did not care for the remnant properly - it would grow toxic and ruin your food. If you lost the remnant - you lost a great deal of your heritage.

This was carried on for many generations - and you could taste the family lineage in your family's fresh baked bread. ...The practice still exists today.

The same thing happens with us.

There is a word in Hebrew - Balal - that refers to "annointing" of food with oil for cooking and flavor - like fried foods... which also refers to a mixing or mingling as in oil in a cake mix, etc. They also used this same word to describe the mixing and mingling of people.

When we involve ourselves with others, we "annoint" each other with this form of blending. The analagy of being affected by the false teachings of the priests let the people know that they were not only being annointed with bad teachings, but that those same bad teachings would fester and grow in them - affecting their entire life.

I hope this helps.
Peace hon.

Answer 2

Dear apkid,

"Leaven" in the Bible is a synonym for sin or wickedness. The leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy--that is, saying one thing and doing another. The leaven of the Sadducees was unbelief--they did not believe in spiritual things, angels, resurrection from the dead, etc.

Answer 3

When Jewish women made bread, they would save a small amount of the old dough which contained leavening (Yeast) so the bread would rise when baked. The alliteration of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducee's meant that one was to beware of even a little thinking and acting like that of the Jewish leaders who were blaspheming against God by their behavior. Basically, He was saying don't be like them even one little bit.

Answer 4

the pharisees and the sadducees were religious zealots of the times when Christ was alive. They believed they were 'more holy' and 'above rebuke' and had the right to judge and convict just on their own accord, self-righteous to the core...

the 'leaven' of the pharisees/sadducees was their self-righteousness... which spread pious thoughts to everyone that spent time with them... it is like 'yeast' in bread.. it invades the whole dough.. or congregation...

we are to beware those who self proclaim their righteousness.... who are men appointed into 'all knowing/preaching' people rather than God appointed... we are to question everything seeking truth in whatever is taught or said

Answer 5

Meaning do not follow them-beware of their false doctrine, for a little of it can infect the entire of it...meaning they are not walking in the truth and are basically infecting it (the truth) with false doctrine. And when this happens, it spreads to all who are following---so it infects the whole crowd- which yes is sin!

Answer 6

a little leaven permeates the whole loaf of bread.

a little sin spreads to the whole congregation.

Answer 7

beware of people who preach untruths and false doctrines. It means leave behind these people that do these things. like people who say "there is no god or god is bad" .