Matthew 16:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

They discussed this among themselves and concluded, “It is because we did not bring any bread.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 16:7, the disciples of Jesus are depicted in a moment of profound spiritual misapprehension. Immediately following Jesus' warning to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees," their internal dialogue reveals a literal interpretation of His words, mistakenly believing His caution relates to their failure to bring physical bread. This pivotal verse underscores their struggle to grasp the deeper, metaphorical truths of Jesus' teachings, highlighting a common human tendency to prioritize material concerns over spiritual realities and setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent patient clarification.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial section of Matthew's Gospel where Jesus is increasingly revealing His identity and mission, while simultaneously confronting the religious leaders and educating His disciples. Immediately preceding [Matthew 16:7](/matthew/16-7 "Matthew 16:7 - Disciples' Misunderstanding") is Jesus' direct warning to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" in [Matthew 16:6](/matthew/16-6 "Matthew 16:6 - Jesus Warns of Leaven"). The disciples' subsequent reasoning in verse 7 demonstrates their complete failure to understand the spiritual nature of this warning. This misunderstanding then prompts Jesus' gentle rebuke and further instruction in [Matthew 16:8-12](/matthew/16-8-12 "Matthew 16:8-12 - Jesus Explains the Leaven"), where He reminds them of His miraculous feedings and explicitly clarifies that He was not speaking of literal bread but of the doctrines of the religious leaders. This sequence highlights the disciples' slow spiritual growth and Jesus' patient pedagogy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The term "leaven" (Greek: _zymē_) held significant cultural and religious connotations in ancient Judaism. While often associated with the fermentation process in bread-making, it also carried symbolic weight, particularly in the context of the Passover, where all leaven was to be removed from homes as a symbol of purification and separation from sin ([Exodus 12:15](/exodus/12-15 "Exodus 12:15 - Remove Leaven")). Thus, leaven frequently symbolized a pervasive, corrupting influence. The Pharisees and Sadducees were the two dominant Jewish religious and political factions of Jesus' day, representing distinct theological and practical approaches to the Law. The Pharisees were known for their meticulous adherence to oral tradition and legalism, often criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy ([Matthew 23:1-36](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Pharisees")). The Sadducees, primarily aristocratic priests, rejected the oral law, believed only in the Pentateuch, and denied the resurrection, angels, and spirits ([Acts 23:8](/acts/23-8 "Acts 23:8 - Sadducees Deny Resurrection")). Jesus' warning about their "leaven" was therefore a caution against their respective corrupting doctrines and hypocritical practices that subtly permeated and distorted true faith.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 16:7](/matthew/16-7 "Matthew 16:7 - Disciples' Misunderstanding") contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **spiritual misunderstanding** that often plagued even those closest to Jesus. The disciples, despite witnessing numerous miracles and hearing profound teachings, consistently struggled to perceive the spiritual depth of Jesus' words, often defaulting to a literal or material interpretation. This highlights the human tendency to be preoccupied with [worldly concerns](/matthew/6-25 "Matthew 6:25 - Do Not Worry") rather than spiritual realities. Secondly, the passage underscores the **danger of false doctrine and hypocrisy**. Jesus' warning about "leaven" serves as a metaphor for the insidious and pervasive nature of corrupt teachings that can subtly undermine genuine faith. Thirdly, it vividly portrays the **disciples' learning curve** and the **patience of Jesus**. This incident is one of many where the disciples demonstrate their immaturity and lack of spiritual discernment, providing a relatable picture of the journey of faith where spiritual truths are progressively revealed and grasped through patient instruction and experience. Ultimately, Jesus' subsequent clarification in [Matthew 16:12](/matthew/16-12 "Matthew 16:12 - Jesus Explains the Leaven") redirects their focus from physical bread to the spiritual danger of the Pharisees' and Sadducees' teachings, emphasizing the critical need for spiritual discernment ([1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - Natural Man Cannot Understand")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **reasoned (Greek, _dialogízomai'_):** This verb signifies an internal deliberation, a thorough reckoning, or a discussion among themselves. It implies a process of mental calculation or debate, often leading to a conclusion. In this context, it highlights the disciples' attempt to make sense of Jesus' words through their own limited, earthly understanding, rather than seeking deeper spiritual insight.
* **themselves (Greek, _heautoû'_):** This reflexive pronoun emphasizes that the reasoning occurred internally within the group of disciples, without direct input or clarification from Jesus at that precise moment. It underscores their self-contained, perhaps even conspiratorial, attempt to solve the perceived problem, revealing their isolation in their misunderstanding.
* **bread (Greek, _ártos'_):** Referring to a loaf or raised bread, this word is central to the disciples' literal misinterpretation. While Jesus had just performed miraculous feedings involving physical bread, the disciples' immediate jump to their lack of provisions demonstrates their preoccupation with physical sustenance and their failure to connect Jesus' warning to its intended spiritual meaning concerning doctrine.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they reasoned among themselves":** This initial clause sets the scene, revealing the disciples' internal dialogue and their attempt to interpret Jesus' recent warning. The verb "reasoned" (dialogízomai) suggests a process of deliberation or discussion, indicating their confusion and their effort to figure out the meaning of Jesus' words on their own. The phrase "among themselves" highlights that this was a private conversation, perhaps even a worried one, occurring without Jesus' immediate intervention.
* **"saying":** This transitional word introduces the content of their internal reasoning, leading directly to their mistaken conclusion. It acts as a direct report of their collective thought process.
* **"[It is] because we have taken no bread":** This is the core of their misunderstanding. They conclude that Jesus' warning about "leaven" must be a literal reference to their oversight in not bringing enough physical bread for their journey. This reveals their preoccupation with material concerns and their inability to grasp the metaphorical, spiritual nature of Jesus' teaching, despite His recent miracles of feeding thousands with very little.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is prominent, as the disciples, having just witnessed Jesus miraculously feed thousands with a few loaves ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand") and [Matthew 15:32-39](/matthew/15-32-39 "Matthew 15:32-39 - Feeding the Four Thousand")), are now worried about a lack of bread, completely missing the spiritual point of Jesus' warning. Their literal interpretation of "leaven" as physical bread, when Jesus clearly intended it as a **metaphor** for corrupt doctrine, creates a dramatic contrast between Jesus' spiritual teaching and their earthly understanding. This moment also serves as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the disciples' ongoing struggle with spiritual discernment throughout Jesus' ministry, a theme that will be resolved only after the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit, when their eyes are truly opened to spiritual truths.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 16:7 serves as a powerful theological lesson on the critical distinction between physical and spiritual perception. The disciples' immediate leap to a literal, material explanation for Jesus' warning underscores a common human tendency to be preoccupied with the visible and tangible, often missing the deeper, unseen spiritual realities that God seeks to communicate. This incident highlights the insidious nature of false doctrine, which, like leaven, can subtly permeate and corrupt the whole of one's faith and understanding. It also emphasizes Jesus' patience as a teacher, who does not immediately condemn their misunderstanding but uses it as an opportunity for further instruction, guiding them from their earthly concerns to heavenly truths.

* [Matthew 16:12](/matthew/16-12 "Matthew 16:12 - Jesus Explains the Leaven of Doctrine")
* [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")
* [1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "1 Corinthians 2:14 - Spiritual Discernment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The disciples' misunderstanding in Matthew 16:7 is remarkably relatable to the contemporary believer. How often do we, too, interpret God's Word or divine warnings through a purely literal, earthly lens, missing the profound spiritual truths intended for our transformation? This passage calls us to cultivate a deeper spiritual discernment, moving beyond surface-level interpretations to seek the heart of God's message. It reminds us that spiritual growth is a journey, often marked by initial misunderstandings and the need for patient instruction. We are challenged to examine what "leaven" might be at work in our own lives—whether it's the subtle influence of worldly philosophies, the deceptive allure of materialism, or the corrupting doctrines that subtly undermine biblical truth. Just as Jesus patiently corrected His disciples, we are invited to approach His Word with humility, openness to correction, and a hunger for profound spiritual understanding, trusting that He will guide us into all truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to interpret spiritual warnings or teachings literally, missing their deeper meaning?**
* **What "leaven"—false doctrines, worldly values, or distracting concerns—might be subtly influencing my spiritual perception today?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment and a deeper understanding of God's Word, moving beyond surface-level interpretations?**

### FAQ
**Why did the disciples misunderstand Jesus' warning about "leaven"?**

Answer: The disciples misunderstood Jesus' warning because they interpreted His words literally, focusing on the physical absence of bread rather than the metaphorical meaning of "leaven" as a pervasive, corrupting influence. Their minds were preoccupied with practical, earthly concerns (like having enough food for their journey) and they failed to grasp the spiritual nature of Jesus' caution against the false doctrines and hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees. This highlights their ongoing struggle with spiritual discernment, a common theme throughout their journey with Jesus, where they often struggled to see beyond the material to the spiritual. Jesus later clarifies their error in [Matthew 16:12](/matthew/16-12 "Matthew 16:12 - Jesus Explains the Leaven"), explaining that He was referring to the "doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The disciples' misunderstanding in [Matthew 16:7](/matthew/16-7 "Matthew 16:7 - Disciples' Misunderstanding") serves as a poignant backdrop for the centrality of Christ as the ultimate revealer of truth and the source of true spiritual nourishment. Their preoccupation with physical bread, despite having witnessed Jesus miraculously feed thousands ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand")), underscores their need for a deeper understanding of who Jesus truly is. He is not merely a provider of physical sustenance but the very [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), whose words are spirit and life ([John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - Words are Spirit and Life")). Jesus' patient correction in the verses that follow ([Matthew 16:8-12](/matthew/16-8-12 "Matthew 16:8-12 - Jesus Explains the Leaven")) demonstrates His role as the Good Shepherd who gently guides His flock from confusion to clarity, from earthly concerns to heavenly realities. Through His teaching, He exposes the emptiness of human traditions and self-righteousness, offering instead the liberating truth of the Gospel. Ultimately, the disciples' journey from misunderstanding to spiritual insight, culminating in Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ ([Matthew 16:16](/matthew/16-16 "Matthew 16:16 - Peter's Confession")), foreshadows the work of the Holy Spirit, whom Christ would send to lead believers into all truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - Spirit of Truth Guides")). Thus, this passage highlights Christ as the indispensable key to discerning spiritual truth and the one who provides the genuine sustenance that satisfies the soul.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.