Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 12:1

"In the mean time, when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." — Luke 12:1 (ASV)

Meanwhile, when an innumerable multitude of people were gathered together, so that they trampled one another, he began to say to his disciples first of all, You beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy, however, of a kind that was calculated to spread, like leaven. If you know that a man is a hypocrite, you do not feel inclined to imitate him; but the Pharisees were such well-made hypocrites—such excellent counterfeits—that many people were tempted to imitate them. Our Lord teaches us, however, that it is no use being a hypocrite—