5And when the disciples crossed to the other side they had forgotten to bring bread. [16:6] And Jesus said to them: Watch carefully and guard yourselves against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. [16:7] They reasoned among themselves, saying: It is because we brought no bread. [16:8] Perceiving this, Jesus said: You of little faith, why are you reasoning among yourselves that it is because you have no bread? [16:9] Do you not yet understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? [16:10] Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many large baskets you took up? [16:11] How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you about bread? Guard yourselves against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. [16:12] Then they understood that he did not say to guard themselves against the leaven of bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
MAT 16:5-12
The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
In the world it was spoken into
In first-century Jewish culture, leaven carried symbolic weight, often representing corruption or impurity, especially in religious contexts. The Pharisees and Sadducees were prominent Jewish sects, each with distinct theological and political agendas. The Pharisees emphasized strict adherence to oral traditions and purity laws, while the Sadducees, aligned with the Temple aristocracy, rejected oral traditions and focused on priestly authority. Jesus’ warning about their “leaven” would have been understood metaphorically, cautioning against their teachings and influence, which could subtly corrupt faith and practice. The disciples’ misunderstanding—focusing on literal bread—reflects their struggle to grasp Jesus’ symbolic language. Their forgetfulness of the miraculous feedings (five loaves for five thousand, seven loaves for four thousand) underscores their lack of trust in Jesus’ provision, a recurring theme in their interactions. In a culture where bread was a daily necessity and a symbol of sustenance, Jesus redirects their concern from physical lack to spiritual vigilance.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MAT 16:5
- KJV
- And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
- BSB
- When they crossed to the other side, the disciples forgot to take bread.
- Koinōnos
- And when the disciples crossed to the other side they had forgotten to bring bread.
MAT 16:6
- KJV
- Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
- BSB
- “Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
- Koinōnos
- And Jesus said to them: Watch carefully and guard yourselves against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
MAT 16:7
- KJV
- And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
- BSB
- They discussed this among themselves and concluded, “It is because we did not bring any bread.”
- Koinōnos
- They reasoned among themselves, saying: It is because we brought no bread.
MAT 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?
- BSB
- Aware of their conversation, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you debating among yourselves about having no bread?
- Koinōnos
- Perceiving this, Jesus said: You of little faith, why are you reasoning among yourselves that it is because you have no bread?
MAT 16:9
- KJV
- Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
- BSB
- Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
- Koinōnos
- Do you not yet understand? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up?
MAT 16:10
- KJV
- Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
- BSB
- Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
- Koinōnos
- Nor the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many large baskets you took up?
MAT 16:11
- KJV
- How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
- BSB
- How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
- Koinōnos
- How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you about bread? Guard yourselves against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
MAT 16:12
- KJV
- Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
- BSB
- Then they understood that He was not telling them to beware of the leaven used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
- Koinōnos
- Then they understood that he did not say to guard themselves against the leaven of bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.1.2
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.1.2
“The Jews had for a great while had three sects of philosophy peculiar to themselves; the sect of the Essens, and the sect of the Sadducees, and the third sort of opinions was that of those called Pharisees”
Cited to ground: The Pharisees and Sadducees were prominent Jewish sects
Translator's notes
MAT 16:6
- do watch:The word translated 'do watch' here implies a careful, discerning observation, often with an underlying sense of caution or vigilance.
- do beware:The term translated 'do beware' literally means to 'hold one's mind to' or 'pay attention to,' emphasizing a focused and deliberate caution.
MAT 16:8
- yourselves,:The word translated 'yourselves' is a compound term meaning 'little-faith,' directly addressing their lack of trust or conviction.
MAT 16:12
- they understood:The word translated 'they understood' suggests a process of putting things together mentally, leading to a comprehensive grasp of the meaning.