12:1 In {1} the mean time, when there were gathered together {a} an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
(1) The faithful teachers of God's word, who are appointed by him for his people, must both take good heed of those who corrupt the purity of doctrine with smooth speech, and also take pains through the help of God to set forth sincere doctrine, openly and without fear.
(a) Literally, ten thousand of people, a certain number which is given for an uncertain number.
12:1-5 Various Warnings
SUMMARY OF LUKE 12:
The Leaven of the Pharisees. God's Care for His Servants. Confessing Christ. The Two Brothers and the Inheritance. The Rich Fool. The Life More Than Raiment. The Lilies. Watching. The Wise and Faithful Steward. The Baptism of Suffering. Sending Peace on Earth. The Signs of the Times.
An innumerable multitude of people. This is one of the passages that show the great impression produced at that time by Christ's teaching. See also Mr 1:33; 2:2; 3:9; 6:31, etc. The discourse that follows is found almost verbatim in Matthew.
Beware ye of the leaven. The spirit of the Pharisees. There is great danger of religion becoming formal and hypocritical. See PNT Mt 16:6.
12:1 He said to his disciples first - But afterward Lu 12:54 to all the people. Mt 16:6.
12:1-12 A firm belief of the doctrine of God's universal providence, and the extent of it, would satisfy us when in peril, and encourage us to trust God in the way of duty. Providence takes notice of the meanest creatures, even of the sparrows, and therefore of the smallest interests of the disciples of Christ. Those who confess Christ now, shall be owned by him in the great day, before the angels of God. To deter us from denying Christ, and deserting his truths and ways, we are here assured that those who deny Christ, though they may thus save life itself, and though they may gain a kingdom by it, will be great losers at last; for Christ will not know them, will not own them, nor show them favour. But let no trembling, penitent backslider doubt of obtaining forgiveness. This is far different from the determined enmity that is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall never be forgiven, because it will never be repented of.
