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040324 Mark 8_14-33 Session 30.pdf
The fact that they had the feeding of the 4,000, with 7 baskets of leftovers (v. 8), and now they've "forgotten to take bread" (v. 14), suggests that some time must have passed between these events.
The detail that there is no more than “one loaf," which is not mentioned in the other Gospels, implies that this account either comes directly from an eyewitness or is what Bullinger refers to as a "divine supplement" - information given by revelation of the Spirit to the human author. As far as we know, Mark was not an eyewitness, but he could have obtained this information from someone who was. Whether through first-hand testimony or divine revelation, we are given this small detail.
In these verses, Jesus gives a warning to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees." It's interesting that the disciples immediately associate His warning with their lack of bread. This could perhaps be an example of a psychological phenomenon known as 'cognitive fixation,' where an individual becomes so preoccupied with one aspect of a situation that they fail to consider other relevant factors. In this case, the disciples' preoccupation with their physical need for bread may have prevented them from interpreting Jesus' metaphorical warning about the spiritual influence of the Pharisees. This demonstrates the human tendency to focus on immediate, tangible needs, often at the expense of more abstract, but equally important, considerations.
The term 'leaven' in the Bible is often used as a metaphor, and it carries both positive and negative connotations, thus it is not inherently sinful. In the negative sense, as seen in this passage from Mark, 'leaven' is used as a figure of speech for 'doctrine' or 'thinking,' particularly that which is false or corrupt. Jesus warns his disciples to beware of the 'leaven' of the Pharisees, cautioning them against adopting the Pharisees' misguided interpretations of religious law.
On the other hand, 'leaven' can also have positive implications. In the parable of the leaven found in Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:21, leaven is used to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven. In this context, just as a small amount of leaven causes dough to rise, the Kingdom of Heaven, though it starts from small beginnings, grows and permeates throughout everything. Therefore, 'leaven', like many symbols in the Bible, must be understood within its specific context.
In its most basic sense, 'leaven' is a substance used in baking to make dough rise. It is often used in the Bible simply as a common element of daily life, with no negative or harmful implications. It only becomes a symbol of something harmful or sinful when used metaphorically in specific contexts.
From verse 17 onwards, the passage enters into an extended rebuke from Jesus, primarily addressing the disciples' lack of perception. Perception is a crucial element in discerning good from evil, and in comprehending the spiritual teachings and metaphors used by Jesus. It is important to note that perception operates on multiple levels, ranging from basic social awareness to deeper levels of understanding that come with experience and spiritual growth. A “hardened heart” is the term Jesus uses to describe one so focused on the physical that he does not see the spiritual.
This is a matter of maturity. Just as a tourist who fails to understand the local realities may make incorrect assumptions about behavior, so too can a lack of understanding of the physical lead to inaccurate perceptions. However, a fixation on the physical can also hinder a deeper, and possibly more important, understanding of the spiritual. It's crucial to strike a balance between these two realms, as both are essential to a well-rounded comprehension of the world and our place within it.
When studying scripture, it is important to understand both what the passage is saying and its underlying meaning. However, we must be careful not to impose our own interpretations where they do not exist. Reading meaning where there is none can lead to misconceptions and a distorted view of the scripture's true message.
In these verses, Jesus expounds on the deeper purpose of our senses. The eyes and ears do more than merely receiving light and sound waves—they are tools for understanding and discerning the world around us. The disciples had witnessed the miraculous feedings of the 5,000 and 4,000, yet they failed to grasp the flawed doctrine of the Pharisees. Jesus is emphasizing that witnessing an event and comprehending its significance are not the same.
Jesus wanted the disciples to understand the doctrine of the Pharisees. This doctrine, in a sense, oversimplified life, reducing it to a grocery store list. In oversimplifying things (reductionism), the Pharisees missed the most important thing: the Messiah they were looking for. In fact, their over-simplification led them to reject that very Messiah.