Bible Strands
Matthew 16:11
How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the disciples immediately after they worry about forgetting to bring bread. He speaks to them following the recent feeding of the four thousand.
The words — The Greek νοεῖτε (noeite) means "understand," paired with οὐ (ou) "not" to form a rhetorical question. Jesus uses ἄρτων (artōn) "loaves" to clarify the literal subject he is dismissing.
The thread — The warning against "leaven" recurs in Matthew 16:6 and Mark 8:21, where Jesus again questions their spiritual perception. Matthew 16:12 confirms the metaphorical application to the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Why it lands — The verse demands immediate correction of a literal-minded focus on physical needs. It requires the reader to recognize when spiritual warnings override material concerns.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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?
Cross-references
- Matthew 16:6 “Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
- Mark 4:40 “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?”
- Mark 8:21 Then He asked them, “Do you still not understand?”
- Luke 12:56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. Why don’t you know how to interpret the present time?
- John 8:43 Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message.