Matthew 16:11 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus clarifies that his warning about leaven was never about literal bread.
What Does Matthew 16:11 Mean?
Jesus draws the thread together. His warning was never about loaves; it was about the corrupting influence of the religious leaders' teaching. Having recalled the feedings, the disciples should have known that bread was the least of his concerns, since he could supply it at will.
The Lord patiently re-explains rather than abandons them in their dullness. He wants them to see past the surface to the spiritual reality. 'Leaven' meant the false attitudes that quietly spoil faith. Christ's persistence here is itself good news: he teaches the slow-hearted with patience, repeating until understanding dawns, never giving up on those he is forming.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 16:11
What does Matthew 16:11 mean?
Jesus clarifies that his warning about leaven was never about literal bread.