5 And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 And Jesus said to them, See and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, Because we have taken no bread. 8 And Jesus knowing [it], said, Why reason ye among yourselves, O ye of little faith, because ye have taken no bread? 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 [it was] not concerning bread I said to you, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees? 12 Then they comprehended that he did not speak of being beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine 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.