Luke 12:1 Meaning and Explanation
“In the mean time, when there were gathered together 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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Surrounded by a vast crowd, Jesus warns His disciples first of all against the leaven of the Pharisees, which He names plainly: hypocrisy.
What Does Luke 12:1 Mean?
A crowd of thousands has gathered, so dense that people trample one another, yet Jesus turns first to His disciples. He borrows an image from the kitchen: leaven, the small lump of fermented dough that quietly works through the whole batch. The leaven of the Pharisees, He says, is hypocrisy — religion worn as a costume.
Hypocrisy spreads the way yeast does: invisibly, steadily, until everything is changed. A reputation for holiness can keep rising while the heart goes flat. Notice that Jesus warns His own friends, not just His opponents; the danger of performing faith presses closest to the visibly religious. The remedy begins with letting Him see us exactly as we are.
Luke 12:1 in the Original Language
hypokrisis (ὑπόκρισις), 'hypocrisy' -- the actor's craft; playing a part behind a mask.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 12:1
What does Luke 12:1 mean?
Surrounded by a vast crowd, Jesus warns His disciples first of all against the leaven of the Pharisees, which He names plainly: hypocrisy.