The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees

5 And his disciples having come to the other side, forgot to take loaves, 6 and Jesus said to them, 'Beware, and take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees;' 7 and they were reasoning in themselves, saying, 'Because we took no loaves.' 8 And Jesus having known, said to them, 'Why reason ye in yourselves, ye of little faith, because ye took no loaves? 9 do ye not yet understand, nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many hand-baskets ye took up? 10 nor the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 11 how do ye not understand that I did not speak to you of bread—to take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?' 12 Then they understood that he did not say to take heed of the leaven of the bread, but of the teaching, of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 16:5-12

Commentary on Matthew 16:5-12

(Read Matthew 16:5-12)

Christ speaks of spiritual things under a similitude, and the disciples misunderstand him of carnal things. He took it ill that they should think him as thoughtful about bread as they were; that they should be so little acquainted with his way of preaching. Then understood they what he meant. Christ teaches by the Spirit of wisdom in the heart, opening the understanding to the Spirit of revelation in the word.