16:6 Beware of the leaven, etc. The teaching and influence which spreads like leaven. See Mt 16:12. The figure of the leaven was suggested by their need of bread.
Sadducees. Mark instead of of the Sadducees, says, of Herod (Mr 8:15). Herod and his followers were Sadducees.
16:6 Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees - That is, of their false doctrine: this is elegantly so called; for it spreads in the soul, or the Church, as leaven does in meal. Luke 12:1.
16:5-12 Christ speaks of spiritual things under a similitude, and the disciples misunderstand him of carnal things. He took it ill that they should think him as thoughtful about bread as they were; that they should be so little acquainted with his way of preaching. Then understood they what he meant. Christ teaches by the Spirit of wisdom in the heart, opening the understanding to the Spirit of revelation in the word.
