Matthew 16:9
Doe ye not yet vnderstand, neither remember the fiue loaues of the fiue thousand, and how many baskets ye tooke vp? Matthew 16:9 (KJV)
“Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?”
Context: Matthew 16:9 is part of a larger conversation between Jesus and the disciples. In this chapter, Jesus had performed miracles, including the feeding of the five thousand with just five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21). In verses 5‑12, Jesus warns His disciples about the “leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees,” which refers to their teachings and hypocrisy.
“And they understood not the saying of the parable.”
Lack of Understanding: Jesus uses the incident of the feeding of the five thousand to highlight the lack of understanding and remembrance on the part of the disciples. Despite witnessing the miracle of multiplication and abundance, the disciples were still perplexed and failed to grasp the significance of what Jesus was teaching them.
Spiritual Lessons:
Trust in God’s Provision: The feeding of the five thousand demonstrates God’s power to provide abundantly even from meager resources. It serves as a reminder to trust in God’s provision in our lives, not only for physical needs but also for spiritual and emotional needs.
Importance of Remembering God’s Faithfulness: Jesus rebukes the disciples for forgetting the miracle they had witnessed. Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past strengthens our faith in the present and gives us hope for the future. It is essential to recall and reflect on God’s previous works and blessings in our lives.
Spiritual Blindness and Dullness: The disciples’ lack of understanding and remembrance reflect spiritual blindness and dullness. Despite spending significant time with Jesus and witnessing His miracles, they still struggled to comprehend His teachings fully. It serves as a reminder to examine our own hearts and seek to understand the deeper spiritual truths that Jesus wants to reveal to us.
Application:
Gratitude and Remembrance: We should cultivate a heart of gratitude and intentionally remember God’s faithfulness in our lives. Regularly reflecting on past blessings can help us maintain a perspective of trust and confidence in God’s provision.
Seeking Spiritual Understanding: Like the disciples, we may encounter times when we struggle to understand the teachings of Jesus or discern His will for our lives. In such situations, we should diligently seek spiritual understanding through prayer, studying God’s Word, and seeking wise counsel from mature believers.
Guarding against Spiritual Blindness: The disciples’ lack of understanding serves as a cautionary reminder for us to guard against spiritual blindness and complacency. We should remain open to the Holy Spirit’s leading, continuously growing in our knowledge of God, and cultivating a teachable heart.
Remember that a comprehensive Bible study involves reading the surrounding verses and exploring various commentaries and resources to gain deeper insights.
