Knowing The Word in Luke 12:1-3

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees

12:1 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. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known on. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

Comments

“Many thousands” literally means ten thousand. Jesus had a tremendous number of followers his detractors could not help but notice. His disciples were of first importance to him when it came to teaching and learning. He warned them of the Pharisees, who were the closest in style of teaching to Jesus, but vastly different in their understanding of God. In his metaphor, leaven spoke of a process in bread-making that was slow, constant, and thorough. In the case of the Pharisees, it was insidious, meaning it proceeded in a gradual, subtle way with harmful effects. Specifically, the leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy, saying one thing and doing another. At the day of judgement, however, their hypocrisy would be exposed and shown for what it was.

Application

Verses 2 & 3 should give all followers of Jesus a profound gut-check. Are there behaviors in your life that are inconsistent with your beliefs? Our beliefs and behaviors are to become more aligned as we grow in Christlikeness.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you warned about hypocrisy. Help me stop doing things in the dark that I do not want brought out into the daylight. Keep my words positive and uplifting of others, and, where appropriately needed, to speak correctively with a “speaking the truth in love” attitude.