Matthew 16:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Jesus, aware of this, said, “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?

NIV: Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, 'You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?

NASB: But Jesus, aware of this, said, 'You men of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?

CSB: Aware of this, Jesus said, "You of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves that you do not have bread?

NLT: Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, 'You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread?

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?

NKJV: But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?

What seems like a simple, even humorous misunderstanding earned a surprising reaction from Jesus. The disciples realized they forgot to pack bread for their latest trip to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They are discussing that when Jesus turns to them and warns them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:5–6). The disciples, because He mentioned leaven, assume Jesus is upset they forgot the bread. Or, that He's warning them not to eat bread obtained from those religious leaders.

Instead of finding humor in this mistake, Jesus finds more evidence of the disciples' lack of faith. He asks why they are even talking about having no bread. The fact that they are shows that their first concern is their hunger. As Jesus will remind them in the following verses, He has amply demonstrated that He can feed thousands from small amounts of food (Matthew 16:9–10). Figuring out what they will eat should be the last thing the disciples are worrying about when He is with them.

Every modern-day reader of this passage can identify with the disciples. We all tend to become preoccupied with our most basic problems, rather than listening for what the Provider would say to us about what truly matters. The disciples are missing a spiritual lesson thanks to their preoccupations, which is something all believers do at times. What stings about this is knowing that Jesus just castigated others for ignoring prior miracles—and the disciples are forgetting about His miracles (Matthew 14:13–21) when the worry about bread.

Matthew 16:5–12 follows His confrontation with critics demanding yet another miracle as proof of His authority. The disciples mention they have forgotten to pack bread, to which Jesus responds they need to watch out for "the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." They think He is talking about the missing bread. Jesus challenges their faith. They were present when He fed thousands from a few loaves. Why are they talking about literal bread? He warns them again about the Pharisees and Sadducees, indicating that their teachings are false.

A group of Pharisees and Sadducees demand a miracle from Jesus, though He has already performed many. Jesus refuses and warns the disciples to beware of the teachings of these religious leaders. Jesus asks the disciples who the people say He is, as well as their own opinion. Peter says Jesus is the Christ, and is commended for that statement. Jesus begins to reveal that He must suffer and be killed before being raised on the third day. Peter's attempt to scold Jesus results in a devastating rebuke. Jesus then says all who would follow Him must take up crosses of self-denial.

Matthew 16 finds Jesus returned from the Gentile regions, only to be immediately confronted by another group of Jewish religious leaders. Yet again, these men prove they are insincere: no amount of evidence will ever be enough for them. After a dramatic discussion about Jesus' role as Messiah, Jesus indicates that those who would come after Him must take up their crosses and follow Him. His references to some seeing the Son of Man coming in His kingdom will be fulfilled at the beginning of chapter 17, in an event known as the transfiguration.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.