Luke 12:1

Luke set the scene for the following teaching by explaining that it happened when Pharisaic hostility had become intense (Luke 11:53-54). What Jesus proceeded to tell His disciples had opposition and persecution in view. In spite of this antagonism, Jesus had a very large following (Gr. myriadon, lit. ten thousand, but used here as a superlative, cf. Acts 19:19; Acts 21:20). Evidently its size kept increasing (cf. Luke 11:29). However the lesson that follows was for His disciples (cf. Luke 20:45).

Leaven or yeast (Gr. zymes) has a pervasive effect and therefore is a good illustration of the influence of hypocrisy. Elsewhere Jesus warned the disciples of the teaching of the Pharisees that He likened to leaven (Matthew 16:6; Matthew 16:12; Mark 8:15). Here he used leaven as an example of their hypocrisy. Leaven, as hypocrisy, starts small but expands and affects everything it touches.