Matthew 16:8 Meaning and Explanation
“Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus sees their worry and gently chides their little faith.
What Does Matthew 16:8 Mean?
Jesus perceives their whispered reasoning and names it for what it is: 'little faith.' The phrase is tender as well as corrective. He does not say they have no faith, but that their trust is small, crowded out by anxiety over an empty bag.
Their fretting over bread, in the presence of the one who had multiplied loaves for thousands, revealed how quickly they forgot his power. Worry has a way of shrinking faith and magnifying the problem in front of us. The Lord's question invites them, and us, to remember who he is. Faith grows not by denying our needs but by trusting them to the One who has always provided.
Matthew 16:8 in the Original Language
oligopistos (ὀλιγόπιστος), 'of little faith' -- literally 'small-trusting,' a faith that is real but easily overwhelmed by fear.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 16:8
What does Matthew 16:8 mean?
Jesus sees their worry and gently chides their little faith.