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Mark 8:14-21 - The leaven of the Pharisees and Herod

This passage is slightly easier to read in the NIV.

Jesus and His disciples were on a boat, with only one loaf of bread because they had forgotten to bring it.

Jesus warns them, saying, beware the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.

What does Jesus mean? His disciples think He said it because they had no bread.

Jesus asks them if they do not yet understand, citing the examples of the two time He fed the crowd with almost nothing.

Let us first examine Jesus's response.

Jesus responds asking the very questions the previous 2 passages have been pointing out - that the hearts of the disciples are hardened, and have eyes but do not see, have ears but do not hear, and do not remember, do not understand.

Obviously He isn't talking about the bread itself.

His original message for them was this - Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life. However, to take the bread of the Pharisees and of Herod is to settle for less, to settle for things that are false. The Pharisees, as we see clearly from Mark so far, are legalistic and not true worshipers. Herod, on the other hand, is all about image. Neither really hit the mark on what God wants of us.

Jesus speaks clearly as a warning against legalism, and against image, at the same time calling us to Him - what is true and good.
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