Matthew 16:6

Authorized King James Version

Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#2
δὲ
G1161
Then
but, and, etc
#3
Ἰησοῦς
G2424
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#4
εἶπεν
G2036
said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#5
αὐτοῖς
G846
unto them
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
#6
Ὁρᾶτε
G3708
Take heed
by extension, to attend to; by hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear
#7
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#8
προσέχετε
G4337
beware
(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
#9
ἀπὸ
G575
of
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#10
τῆς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
ζύμης
G2219
the leaven
ferment (as if boiling up)
#12
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#13
Φαρισαίων
G5330
of the Pharisees
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
#14
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#15
Σαδδουκαίων
G4523
of the Sadducees
a sadducaean (i.e., tsadokian), or follower of a certain heretical israelite

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish biographical literature presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Scripture shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Matthew Understanding a worldview expecting divine intervention through a promised Messiah helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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