Matthew 16:8

KJV

[Which] when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

KJV (with Strong's)

Which when {G1161} Jesus {G2424} perceived {G1097}, he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, O ye of little faith {G3640}, why {G5101} reason ye {G1260} among {G1722} yourselves {G1438}, because {G3754} ye have brought {G2983} no {G3756} bread {G740}?

Complete Jewish Bible

But Yeshua, aware of this, said, "Such little trust you have! Why are you talking with each other about not having bread?

Berean Standard Bible

Aware of their conversation, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you debating among yourselves about having no bread?

American Standard Version

And Jesus perceiving it said, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have no bread?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 16:8, Jesus confronts His disciples' misplaced anxiety and spiritual dullness, revealing His perfect insight into their thoughts and hearts. This verse serves as a pivotal moment, exposing their failure to grasp His earlier spiritual warning about the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees, instead fixating on their oversight regarding physical bread, thereby highlighting a profound disconnect between their recent miraculous experiences and their current lack of trust in divine provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a crucial dialogue following Jesus' warning to His disciples to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" ([Matthew 16:6](/matthew/16-6 "Matthew 16:6 - Warning Against Leaven")). The disciples, having forgotten to bring bread for their journey, immediately misinterpret Jesus' metaphorical warning as a literal rebuke for their oversight regarding physical food. Their internal reasoning, as revealed by Jesus in [Matthew 16:7](/matthew/16-7 "Matthew 16:7 - Disciples Misunderstand Jesus"), centers on their lack of bread. Jesus' perception of their thoughts in verse 8 directly addresses this misunderstanding, setting the stage for His subsequent reminder of His miraculous feedings ([Matthew 16:9-10](/matthew/16-9-10 "Matthew 16:9-10 - Jesus Reminds of Miraculous Feedings")), which ultimately clarifies His warning about the corrupting doctrines rather than physical food.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Bread was a fundamental staple in ancient Israel, symbolizing daily sustenance and God's provision. The act of forgetting bread on a journey would naturally cause concern among travelers. The "leaven" (yeast) was a common biblical metaphor, often representing a pervasive influence, whether good (as in the parable of the leaven in [Matthew 13:33](/matthew/13-33 "Matthew 13:33 - Parable of the Leaven")) or, more frequently, corrupting evil or false doctrine (as seen in [1 Corinthians 5:6-8](/1_corinthians/5-6-8 "1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - Leaven of Malice and Wickedness")). The Pharisees and Sadducees represented the dominant religious factions of the day, whose teachings and traditions had, in Jesus' view, become spiritually corrupting and misleading, leading people away from true faith and righteousness. The disciples, steeped in this cultural context, struggled to move beyond a literal interpretation to grasp the spiritual depth of Jesus' teaching.

* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 16:8](/matthew/16-8 "Matthew 16:8 - Jesus Rebukes His Disciples' Little Faith") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Perception and Omniscience**, as Jesus "perceived" their inner thoughts, demonstrating His supernatural knowledge of human hearts, a recurring motif throughout His ministry. Secondly, the phrase "O ye of little faith" underscores the theme of **Faith and Trust in God's Provision**. This gentle yet firm rebuke, frequently applied by Jesus to His disciples (e.g., [Matthew 6:30](/matthew/6-30 "Matthew 6:30 - Do Not Worry"), [Matthew 8:26](/matthew/8-26 "Matthew 8:26 - Jesus Calms the Storm"), [Matthew 14:31](/matthew/14-31 "Matthew 14:31 - Peter's Little Faith")), points to their recurring struggle to fully trust in His power and care despite witnessing His abundant miracles, such as the [feeding of the five thousand](/matthew/14-19 "Matthew 14:19 - Feeding of the Five Thousand") and the [feeding of the four thousand](/matthew/15-37 "Matthew 15:37 - Feeding of the Four Thousand"). Finally, the passage emphasizes the critical distinction between **Spiritual Discernment and Worldly Anxiety**, illustrating the danger of focusing on physical concerns while missing profound spiritual truths.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **perceived (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** From G1097, this verb signifies "to know" in a deep, experiential, and intuitive sense. It implies more than mere observation; Jesus possessed an inherent, divine understanding of their internal deliberations and anxieties, demonstrating His omniscience and ability to penetrate beyond their outward expressions to the very core of their thoughts.
* **little faith (Greek, _oligópistos'_):** From G3640, a compound word formed from _oligos_ (small, little) and _pistis_ (faith). This term is a recurring, gentle yet pointed, admonition from Jesus to His disciples. It describes a state of insufficient trust or confidence in God's power and provision, especially in the face of perceived difficulties or anxieties, despite having witnessed ample evidence of His miraculous capabilities.
* **reason ye (Greek, _dialogízomai'_):** From G1260, this verb means "to reckon thoroughly," "to deliberate," or "to dispute by reflection or discussion." It captures the internal debate and anxious calculation occurring among the disciples regarding their lack of bread, highlighting their preoccupation with a worldly concern rather than a spiritual one.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which when Jesus perceived,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes Jesus' divine insight. He did not merely overhear their conversation; rather, He "knew" or "perceived" their thoughts and the underlying anxiety and misunderstanding that prompted their reasoning. This highlights His supernatural awareness and authority.
* **"he said unto them, 'O ye of little faith,'"**: Jesus' address is a direct, yet tender, rebuke. The phrase "O ye of little faith" (Greek: _oligópistoi_) is a characteristic expression of Jesus, indicating His disappointment in their recurring lack of trust. Despite having recently witnessed His miraculous power to feed thousands with minimal resources, their faith faltered over a simple oversight concerning bread.
* **"why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?'"**: This rhetorical question exposes the root of their spiritual problem: their internal deliberation was focused on a trivial, physical concern (the absence of bread) rather than on the spiritual warning Jesus had just given. It underscores their spiritual dullness and their failure to connect His past miraculous provisions with their present needs, revealing a profound lack of confidence in His ability to provide and His spiritual teaching.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?" Jesus poses this question not to elicit an answer, but to make a profound point, forcing the disciples (and the reader) to confront the irrationality of their anxiety and the inadequacy of their faith. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: the disciples, who have just witnessed two massive miraculous feedings, are now worried about a lack of bread, demonstrating a profound disconnect between experience and belief. Furthermore, the broader context of the "leaven" and "bread" introduces **Symbolism**, where physical bread represents literal sustenance, but the "leaven" symbolizes the pervasive, corrupting influence of false doctrine, contrasting the disciples' literal-mindedness with Jesus' spiritual teaching.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 16:8 profoundly connects to the theological truth of God's omniscience and His intimate knowledge of human hearts, demonstrating that no thought or anxiety is hidden from Him. It also powerfully underscores the recurring biblical theme of trusting God for provision, challenging believers to move beyond worldly anxieties and cultivate a robust faith that remembers past deliverances and confidently anticipates future care. The disciples' struggle to discern spiritual truth from physical concerns serves as a timeless warning against spiritual blindness and the dangers of prioritizing the temporal over the eternal, reminding us that true understanding comes not from human reasoning alone, but from divine revelation and unwavering trust.

* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1-4 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious")
* [Luke 12:22-31](/luke/12-22-31 "Luke 12:22-31 - Do Not Worry About Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a profound mirror for our own lives. How often do we, like the disciples, become consumed with worry over mundane, earthly concerns—our finances, our health, our future—even after experiencing or witnessing God's faithfulness and provision time and again? Jesus' gentle yet firm rebuke, "O ye of little faith," challenges us to examine the depth and consistency of our trust in Him. Are we reasoning among ourselves, caught in cycles of anxiety and human logic, when we should be resting in the supernatural power and boundless grace of our Lord? This passage calls us to shift our focus from what we lack to what God has already provided and promised. It urges us to prioritize spiritual discernment, recognizing that true dangers often lie not in physical scarcity, but in the subtle, corrupting "leaven" of worldly philosophies and anxieties that distract us from Christ's profound spiritual truths and His abundant life. Our faith should be robust enough to remember God's past mercies and trust Him for future needs, freeing us to understand and apply His profound spiritual truths.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "bread" am I currently worrying about, and how might this worry reveal a "little faith" in my life?**
* **How does my internal "reasoning" (dialogízomai) often lead me away from trusting God's provision or understanding His spiritual warnings?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to cultivate greater spiritual discernment, distinguishing between worldly concerns and divine truths?**
* **What past evidences of God's provision can I recall to strengthen my faith in His present and future care?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus call His disciples "O ye of little faith" in this context?**

Answer: Jesus called His disciples "O ye of little faith" (Greek: _oligópistoi_) because their immediate reaction to His warning about the "leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees" ([Matthew 16:6](/matthew/16-6 "Matthew 16:6 - Warning Against Leaven")) was to worry about their forgotten physical bread. This revealed a profound lack of spiritual discernment and trust, especially given their recent experiences. They had just witnessed Jesus miraculously feed thousands of people on two separate occasions with very little food ([Matthew 14:19-21](/matthew/14-19-21 "Matthew 14:19-21 - Feeding the Five Thousand") and [Matthew 15:37-38](/matthew/15-37-38 "Matthew 15:37-38 - Feeding the Four Thousand")). Their anxiety over a trivial physical need, despite overwhelming evidence of His power and provision, demonstrated a shallow faith that failed to grasp the spiritual depth of His teaching and His ability to care for them.

**What is the significance of "bread" in this passage, and how does it relate to the "leaven"?**

Answer: In this passage, "bread" initially refers to the literal physical food that the disciples forgot to bring, which became the source of their anxiety. However, Jesus' warning about "leaven" was not about literal bread but about the corrupting doctrines and hypocritical practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The disciples' preoccupation with the physical "bread" caused them to miss Jesus' metaphorical use of "leaven" as a symbol for pervasive, corrupting spiritual influence. Jesus' subsequent explanation in [Matthew 16:11-12](/matthew/16-11-12 "Matthew 16:11-12 - Disciples Understand the Leaven") clarifies that He was speaking of the "doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees," not physical bread. This highlights the contrast between earthly concerns and spiritual truths, urging believers to discern spiritual realities over material anxieties.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Matthew 16:8](/matthew/16-8 "Matthew 16:8 - Jesus Rebukes His Disciples' Little Faith") finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. His divine perception ("when Jesus perceived") foreshadows His role as the omniscient Son of God, who not only knows our outward actions but also penetrates the deepest recesses of our hearts and minds, understanding our anxieties and doubts even before we voice them ([Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Open to God")). His gentle rebuke, "O ye of little faith," though directed at His disciples, resonates through the ages, calling all believers to place their complete trust in Him, the true object of faith. He is the one who perfectly embodies the provision they doubted, ultimately revealing Himself as the "Bread of Life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), who satisfies spiritual hunger far more profoundly than any physical loaf. The disciples' failure to grasp His spiritual warning about the "leaven" of false doctrine highlights the need for the pure, unadulterated truth that only Christ provides through His Spirit and His Word ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). In Christ, our anxieties are replaced with peace ([Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious")), our spiritual blindness is healed ([John 9:39](/john/9-39 "John 9:39 - Jesus Comes for Judgment")), and our "little faith" is transformed into a robust, enduring trust in the One who is faithful to provide all our needs, both physical and spiritual, according to His glorious riches ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply Your Needs")).

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

Matthew 6:30

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith?

Matthew 14:31

And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Mark 16:14

¶ Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

Matthew 8:26

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

John 2:24

But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men],

John 2:25

And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Hebrews 4:13

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.