161 The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven . 2 But He replied to them, " When it is evening , you say , 'It will be fair weather , for the sky is red .' 3 "And in the morning , 'There will be a storm today , for the sky is red and threatening .' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky , but cannot e discern the signs of the times ? 4 " An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign ; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah ." And He left them and went away .
5 And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread . 6 And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees ." 7 They began to discuss this among themselves , saying , "He said that because we did not bring any bread ." 8 But Jesus , aware of this, said , " You men of little faith , why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread ? 9 "Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand , and how many baskets full you picked up? 10 "Or the seven loaves of the four thousand , and how many large baskets full you picked up? 11 "How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread ? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees ." 12 Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread , but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 16:1-12
Commentary on Matthew 16:1-4
(Read Matthew 16:1-4)
The Pharisees and Sadducees were opposed to each other in principles and in conduct; yet they joined against Christ. But they desired a sign of their own choosing: they despised those signs which relieved the necessity of the sick and sorrowful, and called for something else which would gratify the curiosity of the proud. It is great hypocrisy, when we slight the signs of God's ordaining, to seek for signs of our own devising.
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.