Matthew 16:5-12

Context

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

16:5 When the disciples went to the other side, they forgot to take bread. 16:6 “Watch out,” Jesus said to them, “beware of the yeast of the Pharisees¹ and Sadducees.”² 16:7 So³ they began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “It is because we brought no bread.” 16:8 When Jesus learned of this,⁴ he said, “You who have such little faith!⁵ Why are you arguing⁶ among yourselves about having no bread? 16:9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 16:10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many baskets you took up? 16:11 How could you not understand that I was not speaking to you about bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!” 16:12 Then they understood that he had not told them to be on guard against the yeast in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

[16:6] ¹sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

[16:6] ²sn See the note on Sadducees in 3:7.

[16:7] ³tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ saying about the Pharisees and Sadducees.

[16:8] ⁴tn Or “becoming aware of it.”

[16:8] ⁵tn Grk “Those of little faith.”

[16:8] ⁶tn Or “discussing.”