39 - Bible Commentary | Karuna Sadan

He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. (Matthew 16:2-3)

During the time of Jesus, the people also had ways to predict the weather. By looking at the sky, they could foretell how the weather would behave. Even though they were unable to give detailed instructions about the weather, they could generalize what could happen any given day. Red sky in the morning, foul weather. Red sky at night, good weather. These simple principles did not require sophisticated equipment.

Even though the leaders could predict the weather, they had no spiritual discernment. The Pharisees, the scribes and the Sadducees were supposed to be spiritual leaders in the nation. Sadly, they were blind leaders of the blind. They were so engrossed with earthly things that they overlooked their spiritual well-being.

Just like them, we too must be careful. Even though we have made great advancements in technology and other areas, they cannot help us gain spiritual direction for our lives. We must not rely on our intellect but rather lean on the word of God. Otherwise, we are bound to become hypocrites just like the leaders of old.

Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16:12)

Matthew.15: 9, 16:12 show us clearly that not all the doctrines propagated by different preachers and teachers are of God. Lord Jesus, warned his disciples to beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The converts of the day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 41-42), continued steadfastly in the apostles‘ doctrine, fellowship, prayers and breaking of bread, but the doctrine topped the list.

A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9). Leaven is compared to doctrine. So we need to be careful to follow the right doctrine.

that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, (Ephesians 4:14)

Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. (Hebrews 13:9)

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16:16-17)

One can say things out of human understanding and one can say things out of revelation.

Chapter 16