Matthew 16:7

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, [It is] because we have taken no bread.

And {G1161} they reasoned {G1260} among {G1722} themselves {G1438}, saying {G3004}, It is because {G3754} we have taken {G2983} no {G3756} bread {G740}.

they thought he said it because they hadn't brought bread.

They discussed this among themselves and concluded, β€œIt is because we did not bring any bread.”

And they reasoned among themselves, saying, We took no bread.

Commentary

In Matthew 16:7, the disciples of Jesus are depicted in a moment of significant misunderstanding. Having just been warned by Jesus to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees," their immediate reaction is to interpret His words literally, attributing the warning to their oversight in forgetting to bring bread for their journey. This verse highlights their initial struggle to grasp the spiritual depth of Jesus' teachings, a common challenge for those learning to follow Him.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' warning to His disciples to beware of the 'leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees' (Matthew 16:6). The disciples, fresh from observing Jesus' profound miracles and teachings, were nonetheless still prone to earthly concerns. Their reasoning, "It is because we have taken no bread," reveals their preoccupation with physical necessities and a failure to perceive the metaphorical nature of Jesus' cautionary words. This moment sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent gentle rebuke and further instruction, helping them to understand His true meaning.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Misunderstanding: The primary theme is the disciples' struggle with spiritual discernment. They interpret Jesus' warning about a pervasive influence (leaven) in a purely material sense, missing the deeper spiritual danger of false doctrine.
  • Focus on the Physical: The disciples' immediate thought turns to their lack of provisions, demonstrating a common human tendency to be preoccupied with worldly concerns rather than spiritual realities.
  • The Disciples' Learning Curve: This passage illustrates that even those closest to Jesus had to grow in their understanding. It provides a relatable picture of the journey of faith, where spiritual truths are progressively revealed and grasped.

Linguistic Insights

The key term here is "leaven" (Greek: zymΔ“). In the Bible, leaven is often used metaphorically to represent a pervasive influence, whether good or bad. In this context, Jesus uses it to symbolize the corrupting doctrines and hypocritical practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples' error was not understanding this metaphorical usage, thinking instead of literal bread and its absence.

Related Scriptures

Jesus later clarifies their error, explaining that He was not speaking of literal bread but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Their concern about lack of bread also underscores their forgetfulness of Jesus' recent miracles, where He fed thousands with very little, such as the feeding of the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand. These events should have instilled confidence in His ability to provide and His focus on more than just physical sustenance, hinting at His identity as the Bread of Life.

Practical Application

This passage serves as a timeless reminder for believers to seek spiritual discernment and avoid being preoccupied with purely worldly concerns when spiritual warnings are given. It encourages us to look beyond the surface of God's Word and seek its deeper, transformative meaning. Just as the disciples needed patient teaching, we too must be open to correction and growth in our understanding of biblical truths, ensuring we are not swayed by misleading doctrines or the "leaven" of worldly thinking.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 9:10

    And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

  • Luke 9:46

    Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

  • Mark 8:16

    And they reasoned among themselves, saying, [It is] because we have no bread.

  • Mark 8:18

    Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

  • Acts 10:14

    But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

  • Matthew 15:16

    And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

  • Matthew 15:18

    But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
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