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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 16:5 - 16:12
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_16:5-12
5And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 7They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, "He said that because we did not bring any bread." 8But Jesus aware of this, said, "You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? 9Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up? 10Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up? 11 How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 12Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Mat_16:6; Mat_16:11 "the leaven" It is possible that the Aramaic term "legal severity" was meant here (remember Jesus and the Jews of His day spoke Aramaic). The two words are similar in Aramaic; however, Mat_16:12 demands the term "yeast" or "leaven."
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Mat_16:8 Jesus often referred to the Twelve as having little faith (cf. Mat_6:30; Mat_8:26; Mat_14:31; Mat_16:8). Those who heard Him and lived with Him did not always understand or have faith. Mat_16:7-10 are parenthetical. Jesus wanted to talk about the false faith of the Pharisees (cf. Mat_5:20-48), but the disciples got mentally sidetracked over the lack of "bread."
Mat_16:9 The disciples had the advantage of hearing Jesus speak and minister to the crowds and also the private the private discussions and interpretation afterward, but still they, like most of the hearers (cf. Mat_13:13-15 [Isa. Mat_6:9-10; Mat_6:19]), did not understand (i.e., Mat_15:17; Mat_16:11; Luk_2:50; Luk_18:34; Joh_10:6; Joh_12:16). Jesus' message was so unique and different from the Jewish religion (i.e., "the leaven of the Pharisees") they had grown up with that it took a supernatural Spirit-led opening of their minds to perceive (i.e., Luk_24:45). This occurred slowly during Jesus' time with them (i.e., Mat_16:13-28), but not fully until
1. after the resurrection
2. in the upper room (cf. John 20)
3. by the seashore in John 21
4. Acts 1 when He ascended into heaven
Mat_16:12 It was their legalism and lack of love that caused Jesus' sternest words of condemnation! Often, religiosity can be a barrier instead of a bridge!