Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 16:6

"And Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." — Matthew 16:6 (ASV)

He used a parabolic expression, which they would readily have understood, had not their minds been already absorbed by their lack of bread. He saw that in them, too, there would soon be a desire for a sign, now that they needed bread, and He feared the influence of both the ritualism of the Pharisee and the rationalism of the Sadducee upon His little Church. Hence His double word, “Take heed, and beware.”

The warning is needed today as much as in our Lord’s time; possibly it is even more required and will be less regarded. “Pharisees and Sadducees” are both leavening the Churches, and the spirit of the one is as bad as that of the other. Everywhere we see the one evil force, operating in two opposite ways, but rapidly leavening the meal of nominal Christendom.

Lord, save Your people from this souring and corrupting influence!