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The Pharisees and Sadducees tested Jesus by asking him for a sign. They were not genuinely seeking to know Jesus. Their intent was to find a way to discredit Jesus.
Jesus knew their malicious intent. Jesus had already given many signs about himself through his miracles and his teaching. He rebuked them, for they could understand the weather from signs in the sky, but they failed to interpret the miraculous signs he had given to them. Jesus called them a wicked and adulterous generation for asking for another sign. But as he had previously done, Jesus gave them the sign of Jonah (12:38-40). Jesus’ resurrection from the dead on the third day is his greatest sign, revealing him to be the Messiah.
Jesus took this encounter with the Pharisees and Sadducees to teach his disciples. He warned them to guard against their yeast. The disciples mistakenly understood Jesus to mean bread, but Jesus meant the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Their self-centered, legalistic, and hypocritical teaching looked small, like yeast. But if the disciples were not careful, they would become just like the religious officials. Likewise, we must guard our hearts by humbly studying the Bible and grow in love for God and for others.
May 31, 2026
BE ON GUARD AGAINST BAD TEACHINGS
Passage: Matthew 16:1-12
Key verse: 6
NIV
chapter 16
1. The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
2. He replied, "When evening comes, you say, ’It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’
3. and in the morning, ’Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
4. A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away.
5. When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread.
6. "Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
7. They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn’t bring any bread."
8. Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
9. Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
10. Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
11. How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
12. Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Father, thank you for the pure gospel. Please guard my heart against yeast.
One Word: Guard your heart