Luke 12:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

NIV: Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: 'Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

NASB: Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

CSB: Meanwhile, a crowd of many thousands came together, so that they were trampling on one another. He began to say to his disciples first, "Be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

NLT: Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, 'Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees — their hypocrisy.

KJV: In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

NKJV: In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Jesus is not merely condemning the Pharisees, but applying His lesson to teach how the disciples should minister to people. The Pharisees perform their religion for show. They "love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces" (Luke 11:43). But they deny the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus' works and claim He serves Satan (Luke 11:14–23). They lead the people into an ironic combination of legalism and sin, and ultimately death (Matthew 23:15; Luke 11:42–44).

Meanwhile, Jesus' following grows. This is not because the people realize His words have life, but because He feeds and heals them (John 6:26). Had they intended to learn, they would make space and listen. Instead, they trample each other, trying to touch Him to get healing or to get His attention to make judgments on their squabbles (Luke 12:13–21).

"Leaven" is any ingredient, such as baking soda, baking powder, or primarily yeast, which makes bread rise. The Bible uses it as a metaphor for anything that permeates the whole, as a little leavening has effect over a large batch of dough. In at least one parable, Jesus uses leavening as an illustration of how the kingdom of God can spread (Luke 13:20–21). Most of the time, however, leavening is used as a symbol of sin. A little sin can spread and cause great damage. The teaching of the Pharisees about Jesus will spread until the Sanhedrin is able to rally a crowd to demand that Jesus be crucified (Matthew 27:20–23).

"First" means that despite being overwhelmed by a crowd of thousands, Jesus is prioritizing the education of the disciples. That is what the "travelogue" section of the Gospel of Luke involves. Jesus is training the disciples to explain the need for the crucifixion before He experiences it in Jerusalem, so they are equipped to build the church. First, Jesus wants to teach the disciples to be bold in the face of those who would persecute and kill them for remaining faithful to Him (Luke 12:1–12). They must focus on their tasks until He returns (Luke 12:35–48). They should even be willing to give up family if necessary (Luke 12:49–53). Jesus keeps His focus on the disciples despite an interruption from the crowd (Luke 12:13) before addressing the crowd's need to recognize the kingdom of God is coming and their need to reconcile with each other and with God (Luke 12:54—13:9).

Luke 12:1–3 is the first of several warnings Jesus gives about living under God's kingdom, not under the authority of the Pharisees who have denied their Messiah. In the previous chapter, Luke described how the Pharisees and scribes rejected Jesus. Surrounded by thousands of people, Jesus tells the disciples to reject the Pharisees' hypocrisy (Luke 11:37–44). Next, Jesus will exhort the disciples to hold fast to His teaching even if their lives are in danger (Luke 12:4–12). Matthew 10:26 and 16:6, and Mark 4:22 and 8:15 cover the same topics.

Luke 12:1—13:9 compares the world with the kingdom of God. Jesus has condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Luke 11:14–54). He now instructs His disciples to reject the fame and security that Pharisees crave, and hold lightly to their lives, wealth, security, and even family. He then warns the crowd to be wise about their relationships with other people and with God. The next two units each include a miracle and teaching on God's kingdom and salvation (Luke 13:10—15:32). Then the final section in the "travelogue" repeats that three-unit pattern (Luke 16:1—19:27) before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.