Mark Chapter 8 · Verse 15
And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διεστέλλετο
he charged
G1291
διεστέλλετο
he charged
Strong's:
G1291
Word #:
2 of 15
to set (oneself) apart (figuratively, distinguish), i.e., (by implication) to enjoin
αὐτοῖς
them
G846
αὐτοῖς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγων,
saying
G3004
λέγων,
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Ὁρᾶτε
Take heed
G3708
Ὁρᾶτε
Take heed
Strong's:
G3708
Word #:
5 of 15
by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
7 of 15
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Φαρισαίων
of the Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαίων
of the Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
11 of 15
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Matthew 16:6Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.Mark 12:13And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.1 Timothy 6:13I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;Leviticus 2:11No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the LORD, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the LORD made by fire.
Historical Context
Pharisees and Herodians were normally opposed—Pharisees resented Roman occupation; Herodians collaborated with it. Yet they united against Jesus (Mark 3:6; 12:13), demonstrating how competing ideologies align against gospel truth. Leaven was forbidden during Passover (Exodus 12:15-20), symbolizing sin's removal. Jesus spoke this warning shortly before Passover (John 6:4), making leaven imagery particularly poignant. First-century Jews understood leaven as symbol of corruption requiring vigilant removal from households and hearts.
Questions for Reflection
- How do Pharisaic legalism and Herodian pragmatism represent twin dangers still threatening the church today?
- What 'leaven' (false teaching, worldly compromise) might be subtly permeating your thinking and community?
- How does Jesus' warning about 'small' corrupting influences challenge tolerance of 'minor' doctrinal errors?
Analysis & Commentary
Take heed, beware (ὁρᾶτε, βλέπετε, horate, blepete)—two imperatives meaning 'see' and 'watch,' emphasizing vigilance. Jesus warns against spiritual danger requiring constant alertness. The leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod (ζύμη, zymē)—leaven symbolizes pervasive corrupting influence (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). A small amount of yeast permeates entire dough; likewise, false teaching subtly corrupts entire belief systems.
Pharisaic leaven represents religious hypocrisy, externalism, and self-righteousness (Matthew 23). Herodian leaven represents political compromise and worldly ambition—the Herodians collaborated with Rome for power and privilege. Jesus warns against two opposite but equally dangerous corruptions: religious legalism and secular pragmatism. Both reject God's kingdom in favor of human schemes. Matthew 16:12 clarifies that Jesus warns against 'the doctrine [διδαχή, didachē] of the Pharisees and Sadducees'—teaching that replaces gospel grace with human achievement or political solutions.