Beware the Leaven of the Pharisees

And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees…” (Matthew 16:6).

In the verse above, Jesus warned his disciples about an influential religious group that He confronted on many occasions. He exposed them repeatedly and openly. There are lessons we can learn from the Pharisees that we need to heed so we do not fall under the same condemnation.

Their Teaching

In the immediate context of the warning given in our opening text, Jesus was warning His disciples specifically of the Pharisees’ doctrine: “Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees” (Matthew 16:12). The leaven they were warned about was specifically their teaching. Those who are in the position to teach have a great ability to influence others.

Later, Jesus told His disciples to listen to the Pharisees when they spoke the things that were according to the Law (Matthew 23:2-3). The problem came when they bound upon others things that God never required (Matthew 23:4) or no longer required (Acts 15:1-5). Earlier they were rebuked for “teaching as doctrines the precepts of men” (Matthew 15:9). Why is it such a problem when one adds requirements and commands that God never made? First, it binds something that God never bound – something that man has no right to do (Matthew 16:19). Second, it exalts the word and wisdom of men (the “tradition of the elders,” Matthew 15:2). Third, it leads to disobedience. Jesus pointed out how the Pharisees had “invalidated the word of God for the sake of [their] tradition” (Matthew 15:6). The circumstances that brought about this exchange began when the Pharisees questioned Jesus: “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread” (Matthew 15:2). Was there anything wrong with washing one’s hands before a meal? No. But it was wrong to make that into a religious requirement and demand others follow it.

We should be content to “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11, KJV) and leave our opinions and “good ideas” out of the realm of religion and gospel preaching.

Their Hypocrisy

In Matthew 23, Jesus dealt extensively with the faults and errors of the Pharisees. He repeatedly exposed their hypocrisy. Sometimes, we are going to encounter hypocrites in religion. How should we deal with those situations? Jesus answered that question for us: “Therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them” (Matthew 23:3). When they speak things according to God’s word, we are to do those things. Do as they say, not as they do. We are not to reject the way of truth because someone else is hypocritically following it.

Jesus explained what would happen as a result of their hypocrisy – it would prevent others from being saved. “But woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in” (Matthew 23:13). As noted in the previous paragraph, we should have the attitude that another’s hypocrisy is not going to deter us from serving God as we should. But the fact remains that some will let that deter them. Hypocrisy will lead others to be lost.

Jesus said that the Pharisees have an outward appearance of righteousness, but inwardly are wicked, unclean, and lawless. He compared them to “white-washed tombs” (Matthew 23:27). On the outside they looked beautiful. But on the inside “they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” In the next verse, He said that the Pharisees “appear righteous to men, but inwardly…are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:28).

Unlike the Pharisees, we need to serve the Lord “in sincerity and truth” (Joshua 24:14). Our hypocrisy will not only cause us to be lost, but will have a negative affect on others as well.

They Loved the Praise of Men

Sometimes motives are evident. Other times they are not. Our job is not to judge the motives of others. But we do need to examine ourselves and see if we are doing things with the proper motives. Jesus, being omniscient God, knew the thoughts and motives of the Pharisees He condemned. He said, “They do all their deeds to be noticed by men” (Matthew 23:5). There were a few things Jesus mentioned as evidence of this. “They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments” (Matthew 23:5). These phylacteries were small leather cases that contained certain passages from the Old Law. They were typically worn by men during times of prayer. One reference explained why the Pharisees were condemned for their use of these. They were rebuked for “making them obtrusively large, as they also seek notoriety for their religiosity by the enlarged fringes or ‘boarders’” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).

They also desired “the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues” (Matthew 23:6). They wanted to occupy the places that were the most visible and most prominent. They wanted “respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men” (Matthew 23:7). The market place was a busy location where no one would really stand out above another. But they wanted to be distinguished from the common man. Even in those situations, they wanted to be noticed. They wanted the praise of men.

However, the Scriptures teach that those who desire the praise and approval of men cannot please God (Galatians 1:10). Why is that? First of all, the standard is no longer God’s word, but popular opinion. They do not have to necessarily do what the Bible says, they just have to do what man thinks is right. Secondly, all they had to do is appear more righteous than others. Since public opinion is the standard, they just had to be more righteous by that standard than most. But Jesus said that kind of righteousness is not good enough. “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). We must be righteous by God’s standard. His standard of righteousness has been revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:16-17). Because they desired the praise of men, the Pharisees did not reach God’s righteousness (Romans 10:3). We cannot let ourselves fall into the same mistake.

They Neglected the “Weightier Matters”

Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23). Jesus condemned the Pharisees here for neglecting some of the “weightier provisions of the law.” It is important to note that they were not condemned for keeping the “smaller” matters. We know this because Jesus said, “These are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

Some misapply this passage to try and show that we just need to focus on the more important things and not focus on the details. It is as if they think we can only focus on either the “weightier” matters or the “smaller” matters. They say some things are essential (“weightier”) and some are non-essential (“smaller”). Who decided what is essential and non-essential? Can we, as mere men, decide that? No! The fact is, God has already decided what is essential for us. He has revealed that in His word (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:3). We need to put our focus on performing “all that [Christ] commanded” (Matthew 28:20) and not try and label some of those things as “smaller matters” and, therefore, non-essential.

Jesus pointed out that the Pharisees could be seen taking great care to fulfill the smallest details of the Law (Matthew 23:23). But without the proper attitude and motive, that did them no good. Jesus said elsewhere that we need to “worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers” (John 4:23). While this passage is specifically dealing with worship, the principle extends to all aspects of our service to God. We must serve Him according to the pattern He has given us. We also must do so with the proper attitudes and motives.

Conclusion

The reason for examining the errors and faults of a religious group – whether one like the Pharisees or one that is around today – is not simply to point out how wrong they are. There are a couple reasons why it is good to do from time to time. One reason is to point out to us what is right and what is wrong so we might serve the Lord better in the future. We should learn from the example of the Pharisees and not fall into the same mistakes as they did. The second reason is to help us learn about these things so we might be better able to help teach those who are involved in them.

Let us learn these lessons from the Pharisees. Do all that the Lord requires. Teach only those things found in His word. Serve Him in sincerity and truth, seeking to please Him rather than men.


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