Matthew 16:11

“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?”

In this verse, Jesus is addressing His disciples after they misunderstood His statement about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. To better understand the context, let’s explore the surrounding verses.

Matthew 16:5-12 (KJV) provides the broader context:

“5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. 8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? 9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 11 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.”

In this passage, Jesus had just finished performing miracles of feeding multitudes with a small number of loaves of bread. Afterward, while crossing to the other side, the disciples realized they had forgotten to bring bread with them. Jesus, aware of their concern, took the opportunity to teach them a spiritual lesson.

Jesus warned His disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Leaven is often used as a metaphor for influence or teachings that can subtly permeate and corrupt a person or a group. The disciples mistakenly believed that Jesus was speaking about physical bread because they had forgotten to bring any.

However, Jesus corrected their misunderstanding, expressing disappointment in their lack of understanding and faith. He reminded them of the miracles they had witnessed, where He multiplied a few loaves to feed thousands. Jesus emphasized that He was not speaking about physical bread but rather about the teachings and doctrines of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were religious sects of that time. They held different interpretations of the Scriptures and had distinct doctrines. The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees symbolizes their false teachings, hypocrisy, and legalism. Jesus wanted His disciples to be aware of the corrupting influence of their teachings and to remain steadfast in their faith.

Through this incident, Jesus teaches His disciples to be discerning and to guard against false teachings that can distort the truth. It serves as a reminder to prioritize spiritual understanding and to not be swayed by outward appearances or worldly concerns.

In summary, Matthew 16:11 highlights Jesus’ disappointment in His disciples’ misunderstanding and lack of faith. It emphasizes the importance of discernment and caution when it comes to false teachings, represented by the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. This verse encourages believers to focus on the spiritual realm and to remain steadfast in their faith, guarding against influences that can lead them astray.