Matthew 16:1-12

New Testament for Everyone

The leaven of the Pharisees

16 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tried to catch him out by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

² This was his reply to them: “When it’s evening you say, ‘Sky looks like wine, it’s going to be fine.’ ³ And in the morning you say, ‘Red in the sky, rain by and by.’ Well then: you know how to work out the look of the sky, so why can’t you work out the signs of the times? ⁴ The generation that wants a sign is wicked and corrupt! No sign will be given to it, except the sign of Jonah.”

With that, he left them and went away.

⁵ When the disciples crossed over the lake, they forgot to bring any bread. ⁶ “Watch out,” said Jesus to them, “and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

⁷ They discussed it with each other. “It’s because we didn’t bring any bread,” they said.

⁸ But Jesus knew what they were thinking. “You really are a little-faith lot!” he said. “Why are you discussing with each other that you haven’t got any bread? ⁹ Don’t you understand, even now? Don’t you remember the five loaves and the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you picked up afterwards? ¹⁰ Or the seven loaves and the four thousand, and how many baskets you picked up? ¹¹ Why can’t you see that I wasn’t talking about bread? Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees!”

¹² Then they understood that he wasn’t telling them to beware of the leaven you get in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.