Luke 12:1
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.
Luke 12:1 in other translations
| BSB | In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. |
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| WEB | Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. |
| ASV | In the mean time, when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. |
| YLT | At which time the myriads of the multitude having been gathered together, so as to tread upon one another, he began to say unto his disciples, first, ‘Take heed to yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy; |
| DARBY | In those times, the myriads of the crowd being gathered together, so that they trod one on another, he began to say to his disciples first, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy; |
| BBE | At that time, when thousands of the people had come together, in such numbers that they were crushing one another, he said first to his disciples, Have nothing to do with the leaven of the Pharisees, which is deceit. |
| Webster | In the mean time, when there was gathered an innumerable multitude of people, so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. |
What does Luke 12:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Luke 12:1-3
Lu 12:1-12. Warning against Hypocrisy.
1-3. meantime--in close connection, probably, with the foregoing scene. Our Lord had been speaking out more plainly than ever before, as matters were coming to a head between Him and His enemies, and this seems to have suggested to His own mind the warning here. He had just Himself illustriously exemplified His own precepts. his disciples first of all--afterwards to "the multitudes" (Lu 12:54). covered--from the view.Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
An innumerable multitude. The original word is myriads, or ten thousands. It is used here to signify that there was a great crowd or collection of people, who were anxious to hear him. Multitudes were attracted to the Saviour's ministry, and it is worthy of remark that he never had more to hear him than when he was most faithful and severe in his reproofs of sinners. Men's consciences are on the side of the faithful reprover of their sins; and though they deeply feel the reproof, yet they will still respect and hear him that reproves.
To his disciples, first of all. This does not mean that his disciples were, before all others, to avoid hypocrisy, but that this was the first or chief thing of which they were to beware. The meaning is this:
"He said to his disciples, Above all things beware," &c.
The leaven. Mt 16:6.
Which is hypocrisy. Mt 7:5. Hypocrisy is like leaven or yeast, because--
1st. It may exist without being immediately detected. Leaven mixed in flour is not known until it produces its effects.
2nd. It is insinuating. Leaven will soon pervade the whole mass. So hypocrisy will, if undetected and unremoved, soon pervade all our exercises and feelings.
3rd. It is swelling. It puffs us up, and fills us with pride and vanity. No man is more proud than the hypocrite, and none is more odious to God. When Jesus cautions them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, he means that they should be cautious about imbibing their spirit and becoming like them. The religion of Jesus is one of sincerity, of humility, of an entire want of disguise. The humblest man is the best Christian, and he who has the least disguise is most like his Master.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
Christ preaches to his disciples against hypocrisy; and against timidity in publishing the Gospel, Luk 12:1-5. Excites them to have confidence in Divine providence, Luk 12:6, Luk 12:7. Warns them against denying him, or betraying his cause, Luk 12:8, Luk 12:9. Of the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, Luk 12:10. Promises direction and support in persecution, Luk 12:11, Luk 12:12. Warns the people against covetousness, Luk 12:13-15. Parable of the rich man who pulled down his granaries to build greater, Luk 12:16-21. Cautions against carking cares and anxieties, Luk 12:22-32. The necessity of living to God, and in reference to eternity, Luk 12:33-40. At the request of Peter, he farther explains the preceding discourse, Luk 12:41-48. The effects that should be produced by the preaching of the Gospel, Luk 12:49-53. The signs of the times, Luk 12:54-57. The necessity of being prepared to appear before the judgment seat of God, Luk 12:58, Luk 12:59. Verse 1 An innumerable multitude of people - Των μυριαδων του οχλου, myriads of people. A myriad is ten thousand, and myriads must, at the very lowest, mean twenty thousand. But the word is often used to signify a crowd or multitude which cannot be readily numbered. There was doubtless a vast crowd assembled on this occasion, and many of them were deeply instructed by the very important discourse which our Lord delivered. Leaven of the Pharisees - See Mat 16:1-12. Which is hypocrisy - These words are supposed by some to be an addition to the text, because it does not appear that it is their hypocrisy which Christ alludes to, but their false doctrines. They had, however, a large proportion of both.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 12:1-12
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Luke 12:1 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Luke 12:1
- 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
- 1 Peter 2:1
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
- James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
- Matthew 16:6-12
Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? …
- Mark 8:15-21
And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? …
- Luke 12:56
Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
- 1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
- 2 Kings 7:17
And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.
- Job 20:5
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?
- Job 27:8
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?
- Luke 5:15
But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
- Luke 6:17
And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
13 warns the people to beware of covetousness, by the parable of the rich man who set up greater barns.
22 We must not be over careful of earthly things,
31 but seek the kingdom of God;
33 give alms;
35 be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes.
41 Christ's ministers are to see to their charges,
49 and look for persecution.
54 The people must take this time of grace;
57 because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation.
an.
5:1,15; 6:17; Ac 21:20; *Gr:
trode.
2Ki 7:17
first.
1Co 15:3; Jas 3:17
Beware.
Mt 16:6-12; Mr 8:15-21; 1Co 5:7,8
which.
56; 11:44; Job 20:5; 27:8; 36:13; Isa 33:14; Jas 3:17; 1Pe 2:1
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Luke 12:1
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.
- Luke 12:2
For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
Luke 12:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | EN esto, juntándose muchas gentes, tanto que unos á otros se hollaban, comenzó á decir á sus discípulos, primeramente: Guardaos de la levadura de los Fariseos, que es hipocresía. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Cependant les foules s’étant rassemblées par milliers, de sorte qu’ils se foulaient les uns les autres, il se mit, avant tout, à dire à ses disciples: Tenez-vous en garde contre le levain des pharisiens, qui est l’hypocrisie. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Als sich unterdessen viele Tausende der Volksmenge versammelt hatten, so daß sie einander traten, fing er an, zu seinen Jüngern zu sagen, zuerst: Hütet euch vor dem Sauerteig der Pharisäer, welcher Heuchelei ist. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Multis autem turbis circumstantibus, ita ut se invicem conculcarent, cœpit dicere ad discipulos suos: Attendite a fermento pharisæorum, quod est hypocrisis. |