Chapter 61
LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES & SADDUCEES
Matthew 16:5-12
Before we begin our study let us pray.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You in the name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Holy Father, please grant us the spiritual ears and eyes to truly hear and see what You are teaching us. Father God, please provide us the spiritual discernment to detect and reject the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees that may be spoken and taught in today’s “Christian” literature and gatherings.
Amen
BACKGROUND
Before we begin our study, let us first review the following background material. The purpose for doing this is to provide the context and background under which Jesus gave His warning.
It is noted that during the time of Jesus’ sojourn upon this earth the Jewish religion was basically divided into groups or sects. This is similar to today’s Christianity with its various sects, groups or denominations. However, unlike today’s Christianity with its multiple divisions, at the time of Jesus there were only three major sects or groups within the Jewish faith. These groups or schisms were: (1) The Pharisees, (2) The Sadducees and (3) The Essenes.
THE PHARISEES1
The Pharisees were a legal and separatist group or Jewish party. They, along with the tradition of the elders, taught and strictly kept the Law of Moses. They believed that God’s grace only extended to those who kept this law and tradition. They did believe in the resurrection, the existence of angels and spirits. It must be noted that not all teachers of the Law were Pharisees.
THE SADUCEES1
The Sadducees were another Jewish party or sect. This sect was mostly composed of the wealthy and prominent political officials. In contrast to the Pharisees, this group was worldly and politically minded. More significantly, this sect denied the resurrection and the existence of angels and spirits. The Sadducees only accepted the five books of Moses as authoritative.
THE ESSENES2
This third sect within the Jewish religion was strict disciplinarians. They felt that worldly pleasure was evil and believed that possession of riches was abhorrent. The Essenes believed in a communal life where there would be no appearance of either poverty or riches. However, they did not form a separate community; instead, they mingled within the Jewish society. Even though they believed in the mortality of the body, they did believe that the soul was immortal. It is interesting to note that the Bible is silent with respect to the Essenes. However, they are identified in the Dead Sea Scrolls of Quran.
We begin this study with the following,
INTRODUCTION
Before we begin this study it will be helpful to read the; “Random House Webster’s College Dictionary” definition for the word “leaven or yeast.” Specifically, for this study it is defined as,
“an element that produces an altering or transforming influence.”
For the Pharisees, Jesus used this term “leaven” in two ways.
First, Jesus used the word yeast or leaven to describe the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. To see this let us read what Jesus said to His disciples after He accused the Pharisees for being hypocrites. The passage of interest is in,
Luke 12:1
[1] In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
This usage of the word “leaven” will be addressed in a future study.
Secondly, Jesus used the term leaven to describe the teaching or doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees, which is the topic for this chapter.
To see this, we begin by reading the conversation Jesus had with His disciples after Jesus, with only seven loaves of bread and a few fish, gave His disciples enough bread and fish to feed 4,000 men in addition to the accompanying women and children. To read what He said we go to,
Matthew 16:5-12
[5] Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. [6] Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” [7] And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have taken no bread.” [8] But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread? [9] Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? [10] Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? [11] How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” [12] Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
As we reflect upon verse 12 the question arises as to: “What was the leaven or doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees?”
To answer this question we will review:
1. Some of the issues Jesus had with the teaching of the Pharisees.
2. The main issue Jesus had with the teaching of the Sadducees.
With the above introduction in mind we begin with,
THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES
As we explore the teaching or doctrine of the Pharisees we will find that:
1. Their teaching was filled with the traditions, teachings and doctrines of man.
2. Their teaching or doctrines were not out of love for God and/or man, but with strict, cold hearted observance of the law, traditions, and manmade rules.
With the above in mind let us now see how,
THE TEACHING OF THE PHARISEES WERE INFUSED WITH MANMADE DOCTRINES AND TRADITIONS
We begin by rereading the following excerpt from Chapter 54 titled: “For the Sake of Tradition.”
Specifically, let us read when some Pharisees and teachers of the Law confronted Jesus with the tradition of the washing of hands, as recorded in,
Matthew 15:1-2
[1] Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, [2] “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.”
In an attempt to discredit Jesus, the Pharisees and scribes (who were the teachers of the Law) challenged Him by asking: “Why did His disciples violate the tradition of the Jewish faith?” The specific issue was the tradition imposed by the elders that no one was to eat without first washing their hands. As we will find in Mark 7:3 below, not only were the people required to wash their hands before eating, but it was also to be performed in a prescribed manner.
This tradition of washing also encompassed the washing of cups, bowls, plates, etc. To see this we go to,
Mark 7:1-5
[1] Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. [2] Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. [3] For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. [4] When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. [5] Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”
The issue of the washing before eating was not about good health. To see this let us read God’s command with respect to this subject as recorded in,
Leviticus 11:44
[44] For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
And,
Leviticus 15:11
[11] And whomever the one who has the discharge touches, and has not rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening.
According to the book: “The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah”1 this tradition of the elders was an unscriptural extension and exaggeration for following God’s commands to keep oneself holy and separate from ceremonially unclean things.
The thinking was that during the day to day activity one might have accidentally had contact with a ceremonially unclean animal or substance. Thus, if the residue from a ceremonially unclean animal or substance was ingested by eating with unwashed hands or utensils then that person would become defiled. Consequently, in the eyes of the Pharisees and scribes their charge against Jesus and His disciples was a serious matter.
Unfortunately, in developing these traditions or manmade rules, the Pharisees and scribes either forgot or ignored what God said in,
Deuteronomy 12:32
[32] “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.
With the above in mind, let us now return to the Gospel according to Matthew and read Jesus’ response to the Pharisees and scribes.
Matthew 15:3-9
[3] He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? [4] For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death. [5] But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— [6] then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. [7] Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: [8] ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. [9] And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.””
In other words, Jesus told the Pharisees and scribes that for the sake of their manmade traditions and religious rules, not only were they transgressing God’s commandments, but were also teaching others to do the same.
Another example of this leaven was the command for the people to obey the,
Financial Commitment to Maintain the Temple and it’s Services even if it that took away money needed for Their Parents
To read what Jesus said on this subject let us reread from,
Matthew 15:4-6
[4] For God commanded, saying, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death. [5] But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— [6] then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
An example for today is excessive giving of our finances or time for the construction of a church building; it’s up keep, and its associated activities. In doing this, we may not be able to adequately provide the money or time needed for the care and feeding of our families. The seriousness of this is recorded in,
1 Timothy 5:8
[5] But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
This does not mean that we should not provide financial or material support to those who provide us with spiritual food. To see this let’s consider,
Galatians 6:6
[6] Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
However, we are to do this in a manner that does not deprive our family.
The second issue Jesus had with the teaching of the Pharisees was that,
THE TEACHING AND DOCTRINES OF THE PHARISEES DID NOT CONTAIN GOD’S LOVE OR MERCY
To see this we will find that within the teaching of the Pharisees:
1. There was no mercy or forgiveness.
2. There was no compassion for the lost.
3. There was no compassion for the sick or hurting.
Let us now see an example of how within the teaching of the Pharisees,
There was no Mercy or Forgiveness
A good illustration for this type of leaven was the time a woman was caught in the act of adultery. To read what happened we go to,
John 8:1-6
[1] But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. [2] Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. [3] Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, [4] they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. [5] Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” [6] This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
Let us notice the following verses,
3-4 … The scribes, who were teachers of the Law, and the Pharisees, brought to Jesus a woman, who was caught in the act of adultery.
5a … The scribes and Pharisees reminded Jesus of the Law given through Moses. This Law stated that an adulterer was to be stoned to death.
5b-6 … To test Jesus, they asked what He thought should be done.
Jesus’ response is given in,
John 8:7-11
[7] So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” [8] And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground [9] Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. [10] When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” [11] She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
Let us notice the following verses,
7 … First of all, Jesus did not come up against or contradict the Law of Moses. However, He did say whoever was perfect could cast the first stone.
8 … The Bible is silent about what Jesus wrote on the ground.
9 … Those who heard Jesus became convicted of their own sin and turned away; leaving Jesus alone with the woman.
10-11 … Jesus refrained from condemning the woman to death. However, He did instruct her to sin no more. In other words, he gave her another chance to change her life.
As we read the New Testament and in particular the Gospels, we discover Jesus taught a lot about forgiving other people’s sins or transgressions. In fact, one time Peter came to Jesus with the question of how many times should we forgive our brother’s sin against us? To read Jesus’ response we go to,
Matthew 18:21-22
[21] Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” [22] Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
In other words, Jesus was making the point that we should always be ready, when asked, to forgive those who have sinned against us.
To help Peter, His disciples then, and now us to understand that forgiving other people’s sin against us is critical for our salvation, Jesus gave the following parable.
Matthew 18:23-27
[23] Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. [24] And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. [25] But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. [26] The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ [27] Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
Let us notice the following verses,
24 … It is noted at this time of human history, 10,000 talents of silver was worth, in our economy, approximately $12 million.
25-27 … The king had compassion upon his servant. Consequently, he not only released him from prison but also forgave him of the debt. This is much like you and me. Our debt to God our King resulting from all our sins is much greater that we can possibly repay. Thus, to forgive us and release us from our sentence of eternal imprisonment in Hell, our God and Father sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to pay the debt for us.
Let us read what the servant did after he was released from the debt.
Matthew 18:28-35
[28] “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ [29] So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ [30] And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
Let us notice the following verses,
28a … It is noted that a denarii was worth approximately 20 cents. Thus, the fellow servant owed the forgiven servant approximately $20. The analogy is that in the light of our eternal destiny, the sins of those who have sinned against us is insignificant compared to the magnitude of the debt we owed God.
29 … So that he could repay what he owed the forgiven servant, the person who owed $20 also begged for time
30 … Unfortunately, the servant whom the king forgave the debt of $12 million did not extend the same compassion and mercy. He did not even give him time to repay the $20 debt. Instead he had him thrown into prison.
Thus, when a person asks us to forgive them for their sin against us, we should recall the compassion and mercy God extended to us and do likewise.
Before we move on to the next topic, let us close this portion of our study by prayerfully reading the ending to Jesus’ parable. As we do, let us pay particular attention to last verse, verse 35.
Matthew 18:31-35
[31] So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. [32] Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. [33] Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ [34] And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. [35] “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
The second issue Jesus had with the teaching of the Pharisees was that,
There was no Compassion for the Lost
To see this we go to,
[15] Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. [16] And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” [17] When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
As one reflects upon this example one might ask the question of: “Are we not to stay away from all the unbelievers and sinners of the world?” The answer to this question is yes and no. To see this, consider the following four points:
1. We are not to be bound to unbelievers
The Holy Spirit clearly teaches this point in,
2 Corinthians 6:14
[14] Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
2. We are not to participate in their sinful pleasures or activities
This is clearly revealed to us in,
1 Peter 4:1-5
[1] Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, [2] that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. [3] For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. [4] In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. [5] They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
But,
3. We are to associate with them
To see this let us read from,
1 Corinthians 5:9-10
[9] I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. [10] Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.
However, more importantly we must realize that,
4. We are the light of the world
Thus, the most important reason for the born-again believer to associate with the unbeliever is recorded in,
Matthew 5:14-16
[14] “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
The last example of the leaven within the Pharisees teaching is that,
There was No Compassion for the Sick or Hurting
An example of this is when, on the Sabbath, Jesus healed a woman.
Before we read what happened we must remember that according to Jewish Law, no work was to be done on the Sabbath. This Law was taken so seriously, that after their return from Babylon to Jerusalem, the priests and scribes developed an elaborate code of regulations and restrictions to govern the observance of the Sabbath. These restrictions included 39 articles that prohibited all kinds of ordinary agricultural, industrial and domestic work4. In fact, the laws and regulations for keeping the Sabbath became so restrictive that they even prohibited a person from travelling further than 2,000 cubits, which is approximately 3,000 feet, from their home4.
It was under this tradition of manmade rules and interpretations of the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath, Jesus healed the crippled woman. To read what happened we go to,
Luke 13:10-17
[11] Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. [11] And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. [12] But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” [13] And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. [14] But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” [15] The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? [16] So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” [17] And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.
Summary
Thus, we found that the teaching of the Pharisees was without forgiveness, compassion or mercy. In other words it was without love. Consequently, even though they had a thorough knowledge of the Scripture they did not know God. To see this let us prayerfully read from,
1 John 4:7-8
[7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. [8] He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Let us now move on to,
THE LEAVEN OF THE SADDUCEES
The specific leaven Jesus identified within the teaching or doctrine of the Sadducees was their denial of the resurrection, the existence of angels, and spirits. The implication of this teaching is that there is no eternal life. Consequently, there is no Heaven or Hell. Hence, there would be no judgment or accountability to God for what a person did or did not do while they were physically alive upon this earth.
So we would know there is eternal life for us, let us read about the time when the Sadducees attempted to trick Jesus into admitting there was no resurrection of those who died. To do this we go to,
[27] Then some of the Sadducees, who deny that there is a resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, [28] saying: “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, having a wife, and he dies without children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. [29] Now there were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and died without children. [30] And the second took her as wife, and he died childless. [31] Then the third took her, and in like manner the seven also; and they left no children, and died. [32] Last of all the woman died also. [33] Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife does she become? For all seven had her as wife.”
Let us now read Jesus’ response in,
Luke 20:34-38
[34] Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. [35] But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; [36] nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. [37] But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ [38] For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.”
Summary
“What we can learn from Jesus’ teaching concerning the resurrection of the dead and the leaven of the Sadducees?” Perhaps it is best summarized in,
1 Corinthians 15:19
[19] If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
THE MESSAGE
In reflecting upon all that we have covered one might ask: “What is the message? What is the point?” Actually there are two points to be made.
First of all,
WITHOUT LOVE WE ARE NOTHING
To see this let us read from,
1 John 4:7-8
[7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. [8] He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
To expand upon this let us read from,
1 Corinthians 13:1-8a
[1] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. [2] And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. [4] Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; [5] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; [6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails...
The second message or point to be made for us is to not teach or accept any teaching or doctrine claimed to be from God except that which comes from and is consistent with the pure Word of God. In other words,
WE ARE TO BASE OUR CHRISTAIN FAITH AND DOCTRINES UPON THE PURE UNADULTERATED WORD OF GOD
To see this, let us first reread the warning God gave in,
Deuteronomy 12:32
[32] “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.
Let us now read the warning God gave in the New Testament book of,
Revelation 22:18-21
[18] For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; [19] and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. [20] He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! [21] The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all...
Amen and Amen