Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”
Parallel translations
- WEB How is it that you don’t perceive that I didn’t speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
- KJV 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?
- BSB How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
- NKJV How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?— but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
- NASB How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus asks how they could think he meant literal bread, repeating the warning about the leaders' yeast. It matters because he redirects them from physical to spiritual concern.
Overview
Jesus marvels that, after two feedings, they still think he speaks of bread. He repeats his warning: beware the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The point is doctrinal vigilance, not dietary supply. His persistence shows how important guarding against false teaching truly is.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Matt 16:6Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
- Luke 12:56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don’t interpret this time?
- John 8:43Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word.
- Mark 8:21He asked them, “Don’t you understand, yet?”
- Mark 4:40He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?”
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
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Original language
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