Devine Scripture

Mark 8:15

What does Mark 8:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 8:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 8:15 means

Jesus warned His disciples to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." The term "leaven" here symbolizes the pervasive, corrupting influence of both the religious hypocrisy and legalism of the Pharisees, and the worldly, political ambition and moral corruption of Herod. This warning urged them to guard against these spiritual dangers that could subtly undermine their faith and understanding.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Take care to be on the watch against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he was charging them, saying, `Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod,'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he charged them saying: Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the leaven of Herod.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and [of] the leaven of Herod.

Context

This verse presents Jesus' cryptic but crucial spiritual warning to His disciples. It immediately follows the discovery of their lack of bread, creating a misunderstanding among the disciples who mistakenly focus on the literal absence of food instead of the spiritual lesson Jesus is conveying.

v.14And they forgot to take bread; and they had not in the boat with them more than one loaf.

v.15This passage

v.16And they reasoned one with another, saying, We have no bread.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 22:15

    Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might ensnare him in his talk.

  • Matthew 16:11

    How is it that ye do not perceive that I spake not to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:6

    Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

  • 1 Chronicles 28:9

    And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. If thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

  • 1 Timothy 6:13

    I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession;

  • Luke 12:15

    And he said unto them, Take heed, and keep yourselves from all covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

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