Matthew 16:8

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

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}?

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

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

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

Commentary

In Matthew 16:8, Jesus addresses His disciples' misplaced concerns, highlighting a fundamental flaw in their understanding and faith. This verse serves as a pivot point in a broader discussion about spiritual discernment versus worldly anxieties, revealing Jesus' perfect insight into their hearts and minds.

Context

This verse immediately follows a situation where the disciples had forgotten to bring bread for their journey. Prior to this, Jesus had warned them to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" (Matthew 16:6). The disciples, thinking literally, mistakenly believed Jesus was scolding them for their oversight regarding physical food. Jesus, with His divine perception, immediately understood their reasoning and their lack of spiritual insight. Their worry about the absence of bread, despite having recently witnessed two miraculous feedings, exposed a deeper issue of insufficient faith in His abundant provision.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Perception: Jesus "perceived" their thoughts, demonstrating His omniscience and ability to know the hearts and minds of His followers. This underscores His divine nature and His intimate understanding of human struggles and doubts.
  • "O Ye of Little Faith": This phrase, oligopistos (Greek for "little faith"), is a recurring gentle yet firm rebuke from Jesus to His disciples when they display doubt or worry despite ample evidence of His power and care. It points to a failure to fully trust God's ability to provide, even in seemingly mundane matters like food. Other instances include Matthew 8:26 (in a storm) and Matthew 14:31 (Peter walking on water).
  • Misplaced Priorities and Spiritual Blindness: The disciples were preoccupied with a trivial, earthly concern (the lack of physical bread) while missing the profound spiritual warning Jesus was giving about the corrupting doctrines of the religious leaders. This highlights the danger of focusing on the physical to the exclusion of the spiritual.
  • Reminder of Past Miracles: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the subsequent verses (Matthew 16:9-10) show Jesus reminding them of the feeding of the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand. His rebuke in verse 8 sets the stage for this reminder, emphasizing that their worry was inexcusable given His proven track record of abundant provision.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "perceived" is gnous (γνοὺς), from ginosko, meaning "to know" or "to perceive." This implies a deep, intuitive knowledge on Jesus' part, rather than just an observation of their conversation. The phrase "O ye of little faith" translates oligopistos (ὀλιγόπιστοι), a compound word combining oligos (small, little) and pistis (faith). Jesus frequently uses this term to gently admonish His disciples for their lack of trust in God's power and care, even after witnessing His mighty works.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. How often do we, like the disciples, become consumed with worry about material needs or earthly circumstances, despite having witnessed God's faithfulness in our lives or through the testimonies of others? Jesus' question, "why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?", challenges us to examine our own anxieties and the source of our reasoning. It calls us to shift our focus from temporary concerns to a deeper trust in God's unfailing provision and to prioritize spiritual discernment over worldly worries. 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.

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

Cross-References

  • Matthew 6:30 (8 votes)

    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 (6 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

    ¶ 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 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • John 2:25 (4 votes)

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

  • Hebrews 4:13 (3 votes)

    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.