The Bible

 

Matthew 16:11-12 : Yeast of the Pharisees

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11 πως ου νοειτε οτι ου περι αρτων ειπον υμιν προσεχετε δε απο της ζυμης των φαρισαιων και σαδδουκαιων

12 τοτε συνηκαν οτι ουκ ειπεν προσεχειν απο της ζυμης των φαρισαιων και σαδδουκιαν αλλα απο της διδαχης των φαρισαιων και σαδδουκιαν

Commentary

 

Yeast of the Pharisees

By Junchol Lee


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Yeast is something that we use to make both the texture and taste of bread more pleasant to us. In the Bible, the use of yeast is strongly prohibited when the bread is prepared to be the offering to God and/or to be used for a special occasion. In the Gospels, Jesus strongly warns his disciples about the yeast of the Pharisees. Instead of using terms like "wrong," "false" or "selfish," Jesus specifically uses the word "yeast" to describe the things of the Pharisees that are spiritually harmful to his disciples. So, what exactly is the yeast of the Pharisees?

(References: Leviticus 2:11)