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Commentary on Matthew 16 verses 5–12
We have here Christ's discourse with his disciples concerning bread, in which, as in many other discourses, he speaks to them of spiritual things under a similitude, and they misunderstand him of carnal things. The occasion of it was, their forgetting to victual their ship, and to take along with them provisions for their family on the other side of the water; usually they carried bread along with them, because they were sometimes in desert places; and when they were not, yet they would not be burthensome. But now they forgot; we will hope it was because their minds and memories were filled with better things. Note, Christ's disciples are often such as have no great forecast for the world.
I. Here is the caution Christ gave them, to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. He had now been discoursing with the Pharisees and Sadducees, and saw them to be men of such a spirit, that it was necessary to caution his disciples to have nothing to do with them. Disciples are in most danger from hypocrites; against those that are openly vicious they stand upon their guard, but against Pharisees, who are great pretenders to devotion, and Sadducees, who pretend to a free and impartial search after truth, they commonly lie unguarded: and therefore the caution is doubted, Take heed, and beware.
The corrupt principles and practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees are compared to leaven; they were souring, and swelling, and spreading, like leaven; they fermented wherever they came.
II. Their mistake concerning this caution, Mat 16:7. They thought Christ hereby upbraided them with their improvidence and forgetfulness, that they were so busy attending to his discourse with the Pharisees, that therefore they forgot their private concerns. Or, because having no bread of their own with them, they must be beholden to their friends for supply, he would not have them to ask it of the Pharisees and Sadducees, nor to receive of their alms, because he would not so far countenance them; or, for fear, lest, under pretence of feeding them, they should do them a mischief. Or, they took it for a caution, not to be familiar with the Pharisees and Sadducees, not to eat with them (Pro 23:6), whereas the danger was not in their bread (Christ himself did eat with them, Luk 7:36; Luk 11:37; Luk 14:1), but in their principles.
III. The reproof Christ gave them for this.
1.He reproves their distrust of his ability and readiness to supply them in this strait (Mat 16:8); "O ye of little faith, why are ye in such perplexity because ye have taken no bread, that ye can mind nothing else, that ye think your Master is as full of it as you, and apply every thing he saith to that?" He does not chide them for their little forecast, as they expected he would. Note, Parents and masters must not be angry at the forgetfulness of their children and servants, more than is necessary to make them take more heed another time; we are all apt to be forgetful of our duty. This should serve to excuse a fault, Peradventure it was an oversight. See how easily Christ forgave his disciples' carelessness, though it was in such a material point as taking bread; and do likewise. But that which he chides them for is their little faith.
(1.)He would have them to depend upon him for supply, though it were in a wilderness, and not to disquiet themselves with anxious thoughts about it. Note, Though Christ's disciples be brought into wants and straits, through their own carelessness and incogitancy, yet he encourages them to trust in him for relief. We must not therefore use this as an excuse for our want of charity to those who are really poor, that they should have minded their own affairs better, and then they would not have been in need. It may be so, but they must not therefore be left to starve when they are in need.
(2.)He is displeased at their solicitude in this matter. The weakness and shiftlessness of good people in their worldly affairs is that for which men are apt to condemn them; but it is not such an offence to Christ as their inordinate care and anxiety about those things. We must endeavour to keep the mean between the extremes of carelessness and carefulness; but of the two, the excess of thoughtfulness about the world worst becomes Christ's disciples. "O ye of little faith, why are ye disquieted for want of bread?" Note, To distrust Christ, and to disturb ourselves when we are in straits and difficulties, is an evidence of the weakness of our faith, which, if it were in exercise as it should be, would ease us of the burthen of care, by casting it on the Lord, who careth for us.
(3.)The aggravation of their distrust was the experience they had so lately had of the power and goodness of Christ in providing for them, Mat 16:9, Mat 16:10. Though they had no bread with them, they had him with them who could provide bread for them. If they had not the cistern, they had the Fountain. Do ye not yet understand, neither remember? Note, Christ's disciples are often to be blamed for the shallowness of their understandings, and the slipperiness of their memories. "Have ye forgot those repeated instances of merciful and miraculous supplies; five thousand fed with five loaves, and four thousand with seven loaves, and yet they had enough and to spare? Remember how many baskets ye took up." These baskets were intended for memorials, by which to keep the mercy in remembrance, as the pot of manna which was preserved in the ark, Exo 16:32. The fragments of those meals would be a feast now; and he that could furnish them with such an overplus then, surely could furnish them with what was necessary now. That meat for their bodies was intended to be meat or their faith (Psa 74:14), which therefore they should have lived upon, now that they had forgotten to take bread. Note, We are therefore perplexed with present cares and distrusts, because we do not duly remember our former experiences of divine power and goodness.
2.He reproves their misunderstanding of the caution he gave them (Mat 16:11); How is it that you do not understand? Note, Christ's disciples may well be ashamed of the slowness and dulness of their apprehensions in divine things; especially when they have long enjoyed the means of grace; I spake it not unto you concerning bread. He took it ill, (1.) That they should think him as thoughtful about bread as they were; whereas his meat and drink were to do his Father's will. (2.) That they should be so little acquainted with his way of preaching, as to take that literally which he spoke by way of parable; and should thus make themselves like the multitude, who, when Christ spoke to them in parables, seeing, saw not, and hearing, heard not, Mat 13:13.
IV. The rectifying of the mistake by this reproof (Mat 16:12); Then understood they what he meant. Note, Christ therefore shows us our folly and weakness, that we may stir up ourselves to take things right. He did not tell them expressly what he meant, but repeated what he had said, that they should beware of the leaven; and so obliged them, by comparing this with his other discourses, to arrive at the sense of it in their own thoughts. Thus Christ teaches by the Spirit of wisdom in the heart, opening the understanding to the Spirit of revelation in the word. And those truths are most precious, which we have thus digged for, and have found out after some mistakes. Though Christ did not tell them plainly, yet now they were aware that by the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, he meant their doctrine and way, which were corrupt and vicious, but, as they managed them, very apt to insinuate themselves into the minds of men like leaven, and to eat like a canker. They were leading men, and were had in reputation, which made the danger of infection by their errors the greater. In our age, we may reckon atheism and deism to be the leaven of the Sadducees, and popery to be the leaven of the Pharisees, against both which it concerns all Christians to stand upon their guard.
After Jesus said this, the disciples thought to themselves (not aloud but in their hearts), “We did not bring bread.” Then they said something else, like “If we had bread, then we wouldn’t need the yeast from the Pharisees and Sadducees, but since we don’t have bread, we are at risk of taking their yeast. The Savior does not want us to return to their tutelage, so he told us ‘be careful and be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ ” Or they reasoned similar things.But Jesus, seeing into their hearts and hearing their inner arguments, reproves them as the Shepherd of the heart because they did not understand nor remember the bread which they had received from him. Because of what they had received, even when they appeared to lack bread, they did not need the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Observe, we do not read here as in other places, that He sent the multitudes away and departed; but because the error of unbelief held the minds of the presumptuous, it is said that He left them.
Herein the Apostles are admonished not to be partakers in the doctrine of the Jews; for the works of the Law were established to produce faith, and to prefigure the things that were to follow; and they on whose times truth itself had chanced should look for no further types of truth; lest the teaching of the Pharisees, which knew not of Christ, should stay the effect of Gospel truth.
"And when His disciples," so it is said, "were come to the other side, they forgot to take bread. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees."
And why said He not plainly, Beware of their teaching? His will is to remind them of what had been done, for He knew they had forgotten. But for accusing them at once there seemed to be no reasonable ground, but to take the occasion from themselves, and so to reprove them, would make the charge admissible. "And why did He not then reprove them, when they said, 'Whence should we have so many loaves in the wilderness?' for it seemed a good time then to say what He says here." That He might not seem to rush hastily on the miracle. And besides, He would not blame them before the multitude, nor seek honor in their presence. And now too the accusation had greater reason, for that after repetition of the miracle they were so minded.
Wherefore also He works another miracle, and then and not till then He reproves; I mean, He brings forward what they were reasoning in their hearts. But what were their reasonings? "Because," so it is said, "we have taken no bread." For as yet they were full of trepidation about the purifications of the Jews, and the observances of meats.
Wherefore on all accounts He attacks them even with severity, saying, "Why reason ye in yourselves, O ye of little faith, because ye have brought no bread? Perceive ye not yet, neither understand? Have ye your heart hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? Having ears, hear ye not? Do ye not remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?"
Seest thou intense displeasure? For nowhere else doth He appear to have so rebuked them. Wherefore then doth He so? In order again to cast out their prejudice about the meats. I mean that with this view, whereas then He had only said, "Perceive ye not, neither understand?" in this place, and with a strong rebuke, He saith, "O ye of little faith."
For not everywhere is lenity a good thing. And as He used to allow them freedom of speech, so doth He also reprove, by this variety providing for their salvation. And mark thou at once His reproof, how strong, and His mildness. For all but excusing Himself to them for His severe reproofs to them, He saith, "Do ye not yet consider the five loaves, and how many baskets ye took up; and the seven loaves, and how many baskets ye took up?" And to this end He sets down also the numbers, as well of the persons fed as of the fragments, at once both bringing them to recollection of the past, and making them more attentive to the future.
And to teach thee how great the power of His reproof, and how it roused up their slumbering mind, hear what saith the evangelist. For Jesus having said no more, but having reproved them, and added this only, "How is it that ye do not understand, that I spake it not to you concerning bread that ye should beware, but of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees;" He subjoined, saying, "Then understood they that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees," although He had not uttered that interpretation.
See how much good His reproof wrought. For it both led them away from the Jewish observances, and when they were remiss, made them more heedful, and delivered them from want of faith; so that they were not afraid nor in alarm, if at any time they seemed to have few loaves; nor were they careful about famine, but despised all these things.
Why did He not say plainly, Take heed of the doctrine of the Pharisees? Because He would remind them of those things that had been done in the multiplication of the loaves, knowing them to be forgetful. To have given them this charge at once bluntly would have seemed unreasonable; but to find fault with them on occasion furnished by themselves prepared the way for the charge; therefore it is that the Evangelist brings forward their thoughts; But they thought within themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
Because the disciples still grovelled about Jewish observances, the Lord sharply rebukes them for the benefit of all; whence it follows, But Jesus knowing their thoughts said unto them, O ye of little faith, why consider ye among yourselves because ye have no bread?
This He does that He may put away from them all care for food. But why did He not reprove them, when they said, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness? for that seemed a more fitting occasion. He did not blame them at that time that He might not seem to be by that urged on to do miracles, and He was unwilling to find fault with them before the people. Also there was more reason in the charge, when after two miracles of multiplication of loaves, they had anxiety about food. Observe with what mildness He rebukes them; He makes an excuse in answer Himself, saying, Do ye not yet understand, nor remember the five loaves?
By this calling to mind what was past, and rousing their attention to what was to come.
But that you may learn what force Christ's reproof had upon His disciples, and how it roused their sluggish spirit, hear what says the Evangelist; Then they understood how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and the Sadducees; yet He had not interpreted this to them. This instruction of the Lord them drew them away from Jewish observances, and made them attentive instead of careless, and raised them out of their little faith, that whenever they should seem to have but little provision of bread they should have no fear about food, but should despise all those things.
For he that takes heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, does not observe the precepts of the Law and of the letter, and neglects the traditions of men that he may do the commandments of God. This is the leaven of which the Apostle speaks, A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (1 Cor. 5:6.) By every means also we should avoid that leaven which Marcion, Valentinus, and all the heretics had. For the nature of leaven is such, that when mixed with flour, that which seemed a little increases to a large quantity, and brings the whole mixture to its own flavour. Thus heretical doctrine if it have cast but a small spark into your breast, in a short time a mighty flame is raised, and drives the whole temper of the man along with it.
How had they no bread, seeing that as soon as they had filled seven baskets they entered into the boat, and came into the parts of Magedan? There they hear that they ought to take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. But the Scripture is witness that they had forgotten to take the baskets with them.
Thus He takes this occasion to instruct them what is meant by the five loaves and the seven loaves, the five thousand and the four thousand, who were fed in the desert. For if the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees signified not earthly food, but corrupt traditions and heretical dogmas, why should not the food with which the people of God is nourished signify the true and uncorrupt doctrine?
(Verses 8 and following.) But Jesus, being aware of this, said to them: Why are you discussing among yourselves, O you of little faith, that you have no bread? Do you still not understand or remember the five loaves for the five thousand men, and how many baskets you took up? Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand men, and how many baskets you took up? How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. By occasion of the precept, which the Savior had commanded, saying: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, He teaches them what the five loaves and the seven signify: the five thousand men, and the four thousand, who were fed in the wilderness. Although the greatness of the miracles is clear, yet something else is shown in spiritual understanding. For if the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees signifies not bodily bread, but perverse traditions and heretical doctrines, why do the foods, with which the people of God are nourished, not signify the true and complete teaching? Let someone ask and say: How is it that they did not have bread, who, when seven baskets were filled immediately, they got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan; and there the sailors hear that they should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees? But the Scripture testifies that they forgot to take bread with them. This is the leaven that the Apostle speaks of; A little leaven leavens the whole lump (I Cor. V, 6). Marcion and Valentinus and all heretics had this kind of leaven, which is to be avoided in every way. This fermentation has the power that if it is mixed with flour, which seemed small, it grows into something greater, and attracts the entire mixture to its flavor ((or conversion)) : and so also heretical doctrine, if it has thrown even a small spark into your heart, in a short time it grows into a great flame, and draws the entire possession of the person to itself. Finally, it follows: Then they understood that he did not say to beware of leavened bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
They were bound to their Master with so great affection, that they were unwilling to part from Him for even a moment of time. And herein it should be observed how far they were from any longing for delicacies, when they took so small care for necessaries, that they had even forgotten to take bread, without which human weakness cannot support itself. He said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees; and of the Sadducees.
(non occ.) As the Lord had left the Pharisees on account of their unbelief, so now He teaches His disciples to be on their guard against their doctrine; whence it follows, And when His disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
(ord.) As much as to say; Why do ye think that I spake of earthly bread, for which ye ought not to have a thought, having beheld Me of so little make such abundant overplus?
(interlin.) As much as to say, Do ye not understand the mystery, nor remember the miracle?
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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). 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, 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), 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) or, more frequently, corrupting evil or false doctrine (as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8). 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 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 8:26, Matthew 14:31), 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 and the 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
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
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) 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 and Matthew 15:37-38). 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 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 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). 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), 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). In Christ, our anxieties are replaced with peace (Philippians 4:6-7), our spiritual blindness is healed (John 9:39), 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).