Mattityahu 16:12

12 Then Moshiach’s talmidim understood that Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach did not say to beware of the chametz of the lechem, but of the chametz of the teaching of the Perushim and the Tzedukim.

Mattityahu 16:12 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 16:12

Then understood they
Without any further explication of his sense and meaning,

how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread:
which sense they first took him in; imagining, because the Pharisees were very particular and precise what sort of leaven they made use of ^F26, that Christ forbad them buying bread that was made with leaven according to their directions: and since their rules in everything prevailed much in all places, they were concerned what bread they must, or could buy; but now they perceived that he did not speak of this, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. It was very common with the Jews ^F1 to call the corruption and vitiosity of nature by the name of (hoyebv rwav) , "leaven in the lump": hence our Lord calls their doctrine so, because it proceeded from thence, and was agreeable thereunto; and uses the phrase on purpose to expose it, and bring it into neglect and contempt.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Misn. Pesach, c. 2. sect. 2, 3. T. Hieros. Sabbat, fol. 3. 3.
F1 T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 7. 4. T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 17. 1. Bereshit Rabba, fol. 29. 4. Caphtor, fol. 38. 2. Tzeror Hammor, fol. 73. 2.

Mattityahu 16:12 In-Context

10 Or the shevah loaves of the arbaat elafim (four thousand), and how many large baskets full you took up?

11 How is it that you do not chap (grasp mentally) that I did not speak to you concerning lechem? But beware of the chametz (swelling [like evil, like gaavah, pride], all-permeating leaven) of the Perushim and Tzedukim.

12 Then Moshiach’s talmidim understood that Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach did not say to beware of the chametz of the lechem, but of the chametz of the teaching of the Perushim and the Tzedukim.

13 Now, having arrived in the district of Caesarea Philippi, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach began asking his talmidim, saying, Who do men say that [I] the Ben HaAdam am?

14 And Moshiach’s talmidim said, Some say Yochanan of the tevilah of teshuva, and others say, Eliyahu HaNavi, but still others say, Yirmeyah or one of the Neviim.