Matthew 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?
Matthew 16:11 nkjv
How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread??but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
Matthew 16:11 niv
How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
Matthew 16:11 esv
How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
Matthew 16:11 nlt
Why can't you understand that I'm not talking about bread? So again I say, 'Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.'"
Matthew 16 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 16:6 | Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” | Immediate preceding warning. |
| Matt 16:7 | They discussed it among themselves, saying, “We have no bread.” | Disciples' initial physical misunderstanding. |
| Matt 16:9-10 | “Do you not yet understand…? Neither the seven loaves for the four thousand…?” | Jesus reminds them of His miraculous provision. |
| Mark 8:15 | He cautioned them: “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” | Parallel account, includes Herod's worldly corruption. |
| Mark 8:17 | And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand...?” | Jesus' exasperation at their spiritual blindness. |
| Luke 12:1 | “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” | Clearly defines Pharisaic leaven as hypocrisy. |
| 1 Cor 5:6-8 | “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven…” | Leaven as a metaphor for sin and corruption in the church. |
| Gal 5:9 | “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” | Warning about false teaching or moral compromise spreading. |
| Matt 15:15-18 | Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.”... Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not understand...?" | Disciples' repeated struggle to grasp spiritual parables. |
| Matt 23:23-28 | “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs…” | Jesus' extensive condemnation of Pharisaic hypocrisy. |
| Matt 3:7-10 | “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ... bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” | John the Baptist's direct confrontation of Pharisees/Sadducees. |
| Matt 22:23-33 | That same day Sadducees came to him, who say there is no resurrection... | Jesus directly refutes Sadducees' false doctrine. |
| 1 Cor 2:14 | The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them… | Spiritual truths are discerned spiritually, not carnally. |
| Heb 5:12-14 | “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again…” | Warning against spiritual immaturity and slowness to learn. |
| Jn 6:63 | “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” | The emphasis is on spiritual understanding over physical. |
| Ps 119:104 | “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” | God's word as the source of true understanding and discernment. |
| Prov 19:27 | “Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” | Danger of rejecting sound teaching. |
| Is 6:9-10 | “Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.” | Prophecy about spiritual blindness and hardness of heart. |
| Eph 4:14 | So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine… | Danger of being swayed by false teaching. |
| Col 2:8 | See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition… | Warning against human-centered teachings over Christ. |
Matthew 16 verses
Matthew 16 11 Meaning
Matthew 16:11 reveals Jesus' profound exasperation with His disciples' continued spiritual obtuseness. They had misunderstood His warning about "the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees," thinking He was concerned about their lack of physical bread. Jesus clarifies that His warning was not about literal food, but about the insidious and corrupting influence of the false doctrines, hypocrisy, and worldly-mindedness espoused by the religious leaders of the day. He admonishes them for their inability to discern spiritual truth behind a familiar metaphor, especially after witnessing His miraculous provisions of bread.
Matthew 16 11 Context
Matthew 16:11 is embedded within a broader narrative reflecting the ongoing tension between Jesus' divine mission and the limited understanding of His disciples. Preceding this verse, the Pharisees and Sadducees demanded a sign from Jesus (Matt 16:1-4), which He refused, calling them an "evil and adulterous generation." Immediately afterward (Matt 16:5), the disciples realize they forgot to bring bread. When Jesus warns them to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees" (Matt 16:6), they literally interpret "leaven" as bread and panic over their oversight, believing Jesus is upset about their lack of foresight (Matt 16:7).
This misunderstanding frustrates Jesus because it echoes previous instances of their dullness (e.g., misinterpreting parables, fearing during the storm, or questioning feeding miracles). He reminds them of His ability to miraculously feed thousands (Matt 16:9-10), demonstrating that lack of physical bread is not a concern for Him or for those who follow Him. The core of His teaching is spiritual, concerning the dangerous influence of false religious systems, contrasting with their focus on mundane, material needs. This exchange highlights the disciples' slow spiritual development, which soon after shifts with Peter's confession of Christ's identity (Matt 16:16) but then again shows weakness when Peter tries to rebuke Jesus regarding His suffering (Matt 16:22).
Matthew 16 11 Word analysis
- How: (Greek: πῶς - pōs) A rhetorical interrogative adverb expressing Jesus' astonishment, bewilderment, and gentle rebuke. It conveys a sense of "Why is it that...?" or "Is it possible that...?" It highlights the depth of their spiritual inability to grasp simple truths despite consistent teaching and miraculous displays.
- is it that you do not understand: (Greek: οὐ νοεῖτε - ou noeite)
- οὐ (ou): The strong Greek negative, implying a definite lack of understanding.
- νοεῖτε (noeite): From noeo, meaning "to perceive with the mind," "to grasp," "to comprehend," "to apprehend intellectually and spiritually." It implies a process of mental activity and spiritual discernment, not just hearing words. Their failure to noeo suggests spiritual dullness or an inability to move beyond superficial interpretation.
- that I was not speaking to you about bread: (Greek: ὅτι οὐ περὶ ἄρτων ὑμῖν εἶπον - hoti ou peri artōn hymin eipon)
- ἄρτων (artōn): Genitive plural of artos, meaning "bread" or "loaves." This confirms their material preoccupation, and Jesus directly refutes their incorrect interpretation. The plural reinforces the idea of "loaves" as their specific worry.
- but about the leaven: (Greek: ἀλλὰ περὶ τῆς ζύμης - alla peri tēs zymēs)
- ἀλλὰ (alla): A strong adversative conjunction, "but," sharply contrasting their misunderstanding with the true meaning.
- ζύμης (zymēs): "Leaven" or "yeast." In Jewish culture, leaven often symbolized a pervasive influence, often negative or corrupting (e.g., in Passover rituals, it signified purging out sin). Here, it’s metaphorically applied to a doctrine or principle that spreads its influence throughout a community. Its small amount but significant impact perfectly illustrates insidious falsehood.
- of the Pharisees: (Greek: τῶν Φαρισαίων - tōn Pharisaiōn) A prominent Jewish sect known for strict adherence to Mosaic Law and extensive oral traditions, often prioritizing outward displays of righteousness. Their "leaven" referred primarily to their hypocrisy (Lk 12:1), their focus on human traditions that invalidated God's word (Mk 7:13), and their legalistic self-righteousness.
- and Sadducees: (Greek: καὶ Σαδδουκαίων - kai Saddoukaiōn) Another influential Jewish sect, more aristocratic, priestly, and politically focused. They accepted only the Pentateuch, rejecting belief in resurrection, angels, or spirits. Their "leaven" signified their skepticism, their worldly pragmatism, and their corrupting doctrines (denying key truths of God's Word) and philosophical positions that undermined faith in God's supernatural power and future promises.
- How is it that you do not understand...about bread, but about the leaven: This entire phrase encapsulates Jesus' didactic method – He identifies their misinterpretation and then directly contrasts it with the correct spiritual meaning. The rhetorical question followed by the explicit correction emphasizes their spiritual denseness and the importance of the lesson. It's a foundational lesson in discerning the true nature of spiritual warning.
- the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees: This phrase groups two distinct religious sects, suggesting that while their specific errors differed (hypocrisy vs. doctrinal skepticism/materialism), both were equally dangerous, corrupting, and ultimately opposed to the truth and spirit of God's Kingdom as presented by Jesus. Their combined influence created a stifling spiritual environment from which true disciples must guard their hearts.
Matthew 16 11 Bonus section
- This verse illustrates a common challenge for those beginning their spiritual journey: differentiating between the literal and metaphorical, particularly in spiritual instruction.
- The incident highlights the continuous need for revelation and instruction from Christ for His followers to truly grasp spiritual realities, moving beyond mere physical perceptions.
- Jesus' question functions as both a rebuke and an opportunity for reflection, prompting the disciples to examine their own understanding and the depth of their faith. It implies that, given what they had already witnessed and learned, they should have understood.
- The warning about the leaven of both groups suggests that the danger comes not just from one type of error, but from various forms of human religious traditions and philosophies that contradict the divine truth.
Matthew 16 11 Commentary
Matthew 16:11 reveals Jesus' profound disappointment in His disciples' lack of spiritual discernment. They remained fixed on material concerns, misinterpreting His warning about "leaven" as a practical issue regarding bread. This incident highlights a crucial spiritual truth: discipleship demands a shift from a carnal to a spiritual understanding. Jesus, who had just demonstrated His limitless power to provide physical sustenance by feeding thousands, expected His followers to transcend worry about daily bread.
The "leaven" metaphor, commonly understood in Jewish culture as an pervasive influence, effectively represents the insidious nature of the Pharisees' hypocrisy and the Sadducees' unbiblical skepticism and worldliness. These corrupting influences were not overt, but subtle doctrines and attitudes that slowly permeated and distorted genuine faith. Jesus' frustration underscores the vital need for His disciples, and by extension all believers, to develop spiritual ears to hear and minds to perceive, recognizing false teaching and self-righteousness wherever they manifest, so as not to be polluted by them. This discerning wisdom is crucial for remaining pure and truly living by the principles of the Kingdom.