Matthew 16:6-12 Then Jesus said to them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. I. THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES. The most numerous and popular sect among the Jews. Their corruptions may, for the sake of distinction, be summed up under three heads. — 1. They were rigid predestinarians, or believers in what modern language calls philosophical necessity. Take heed. 2. They rejected the written Word of God as the only and sufficient standard of religious truth, and the guide of religious practice; and they observed the tradition of the elders, which often made this written law of node effect. Take heed, and beware of the very same leaven. 3. Their righteousness, though strict in its kind, was merely external; consisting chiefly in a multitude of ceremonious practices. How many are there like them? Beware! II. THE LEAVEN OF THE SADDUCEES. Their heresy likewise may be described under three heads. — 1. They denied the fallen and depraved state of mankind; disputed the doctrine of hereditary corruption; and maintained that the will of man is, by nature, and without any special grace of God, as free to good as to evil 2. They not only rejected the traditions of the elders, but explained away much of the Old Testament, and thus rendered its teaching of none effect. 3. They denied the existence of angels and spirits, the resurrection of the dead, and a future state of rewards and punishments. Take heed, and beware! (J. Bunting, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.WEB: Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." |
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