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 16:6-12
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.