Matthew 16:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why did He not say plainly, Take heed of the doctrine of the Pharisees? Because He would remind them of those things that had been done in the multiplication of the loaves, knowing them to be forgetful. To have given them this charge at once bluntly would have seemed unreasonable; but to find fault with them on occasion furnished by themselves prepared the way for the charge; therefore it is that the Evangelist brings forward their thoughts; But they thought within themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

When the Lord admonished with greater severity (for humility is not always appropriate), they quickly understood that the leaven He was speaking of pertained to doctrine. The strength of wise correction is evident in all circumstances.

For he that takes heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, does not observe the precepts of the Law and of the letter, and neglects the traditions of men that he may do the commandments of God. This is the leaven of which the Apostle speaks, A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (1 Cor. 5:6.) By every means also we should avoid that leaven which Marcion, Valentinus, and all the heretics had. For the nature of leaven is such, that when mixed with flour, that which seemed a little increases to a large quantity, and brings the whole mixture to its own flavour. Thus heretical doctrine if it have cast but a small spark into your breast, in a short time a mighty flame is raised, and drives the whole temper of the man along with it.

You beheld the reprimand in advance, consider the outcome as well: it stirred their dormant intellects, and they gained understanding. A teacher does not always need to be gentle; at times, firmness is required. There are moments to allow freedom for the sake of affection towards the learners, and other times to correct them to keep them in line—using this diversity to guide their salvation.

Herein the Apostles are admonished not to be partakers in the doctrine of the Jews; for the works of the Law were established to produce faith, and to prefigure the things that were to follow; and they on whose times truth itself had chanced should look for no further types of truth; lest the teaching of the Pharisees, which knew not of Christ, should stay the effect of Gospel truth.

They were bound to their Master with so great affection, that they were unwilling to part from Him for even a moment of time. And herein it should be observed how far they were from any longing for delicacies, when they took so small care for necessaries, that they had even forgotten to take bread, without which human weakness cannot support itself. He said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees; and of the Sadducees.

It was immediately apparent to them, even without further clarification, that He was advising them to be cautious not of the physical Bread Baskets, but rather of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Their misleading doctrines, hypocritical behaviors, treachery, and egregious pride—alongside a trivial fixation on adhering to outdated traditions like ritual washing and food regulations—while harboring internal corruption, represent the leaven against which the Lord cautioned His followers. As St. Chrysostom notes, "see how beneficial reproof can be." Therefore, we shouldn't always make allowances for those under our authority, nor should we expect leniency from those above us. For the soul requires both forms of correction: firmness and mercy. This is why God has structured the universe to oscillate between strictness and grace.

As he was preparing to leave, he spoke to his disciples in a mysterious manner regarding their inquiry: take heed of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees, alluding to their false teachings and duplicity (Mt. 16:12; Mk. 8:15; Lk. 12:1).

Following a confrontation with the Pharisees and Sadducees in the regions of Dalmanutha and Magdala, Christ makes His way once more to the opposite shore of the sea, specifically the eastern side, avoiding the malicious schemes of His adversaries. Once there, He warns His disciples: ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees’ (Mt. 16:6) and ‘of the Pharisees and Herod’ (Mk. 8:15), as well as addressing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Lk. 12:1), the secular mindset of the Sadducees, and the prioritization of political motives over spiritual ones seen among the Herodians. The disciples had neglected to bring enough bread, for ‘except one loaf they had not bread with them in the boat’ (Mk. 8:14).

The apostles eventually understood that Jesus was cautioning them about the peril of the doctrines propagated by the Pharisees and Sadducees (see v. 6).

Jesus recognized from the conversation among His disciples that they were struggling to grasp His message and reprimanded them for their lack of faith, misunderstanding, and memory. He reminded them of their recent experience witnessing the miraculous feeding of thousands with just a few loaves of bread (Matt. 14:14-21, Matt. 15:32-38). Given their firsthand experience of such signs, they ought to have been less anxious about their physical needs, incorrectly interpreting His words as a rebuke for their negligence regarding earthly concerns. If they believed this, it only highlighted their faithlessness, ignorance, and forgetfulness. Following His correction, the disciples came to the realization that His message should be interpreted metaphorically, specifically warning them to be cautious of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The witnesses of the miraculous feeding of the multitude understood that, in the presence of their Lord, their focus should not have been on physical sustenance. He had warned them to be cautious not of the leaven associated with bread, but rather with the teachings of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians.