Leaven
Leaven
Jesus use the term leaven[1] several times in reference to the The leaven of the Pharisees. It is clearly another of those metaphors built into the Hebrew language and thinking.
Leaven by its nature is something that even in small a quantity, may influence everything. It could be used as a good influence or in a good sense[2] or a pernicious influence as in a bad sense we see with the leaven of the Pharisees.[3]
Pharisees were clearly creating new doctrines that allowed them to emphasis rituals and form, words and phrases but failed to attend to the weightier matters. They often did this by denying alternative uses of words or by altering their meaning. That creation of new doctrines with often fictional and private interpretations by the pharisees was part of what Jesus meant when he referred to the need to "Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees".[3]
- ↑ 2219 ζύμη zume [dzoo’-may] probably from 2204 zeo fervent in anger or spirit; n f; TDNT-2:902,302; [{See TDNT 288 }] AV-leaven 13; 13
- 1) leaven
- 2) metaph. of inveterate mental and moral corruption, viewed in its tendency to infect others
- Leaven is applied to that which, though small in quantity, yet by its influence thoroughly pervades a thing; either in a good sense as in the parable #Mt 13:33; or in a bad sense, of a pernicious influence, "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump"
- 5160 trophe, food; 1035 brosis, food; 106 azumos, unleavened bread, metaphor "free from faults or the "leaven of iniquity"".
- ↑ Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened." ([Matthew 13]:33)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. ([Matthew 16]:6)
- How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? ([Matthew 16]:11)
- Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. ([Matthew 16]:12)
- And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. ([Mark 8]:15)
- In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ([Luke 12]:1)