The Leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees
Mark 8:14
Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.


This caution was probably suggested by His late interview with the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

I. THE DOCTRINE OF THE PHARISEES chiefly hinged upon two tenets.

1. Acceptance with God on the ground of legal performances.

2. The obligation of the tradition of the elders. These led to multiplied observances of a legal kind, pride and boasting, hypocrisy, laxity of morals.

II. THE DOCTRINES OF THE SADDUCEES, here called the leaven of Herod, were opposed to these. Notice only three, as having a practical influence. They denied —

1. The separate existence of the soul.

2. The resurrection of the dead.

3. The superintending providence of God.These led to the removal of restraint to vicious indulgences. Sadduceeism characterized the generation which has disappeared. Phariseeism the present.

III. THEIR DOCTRINES ARE COMPARED TO LEAVEN.

1. They affect the whole character.

2. The whole mass of society. "Take heed," etc. The one, sanctimoniousness; the other, licentiousness.

(Expository Discourses.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.

WEB: They forgot to take bread; and they didn't have more than one loaf in the boat with them.




The Leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod
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