Matthew 16:11
New International Version
How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

New Living Translation
Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”

English Standard Version
How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Berean Standard Bible
How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Berean Literal Bible
How do you not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread, but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?"

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

New American Standard Bible
How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

NASB 1995
“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.”

NASB 1977
“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.”

Legacy Standard Bible
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.”

Amplified Bible
How is it that you fail to understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Christian Standard Bible
Why is it you don’t understand that when I told you, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,’ it wasn’t about bread? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Why is it you don’t understand that when I told you, Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees,’ it wasn’t about bread?”

American Standard Version
How is it that ye do not perceive that I spake not to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Contemporary English Version
Don't you know by now that I am not talking to you about bread? Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!

English Revised Version
How is it that ye do not perceive that I spake not to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Why don't you understand that I wasn't talking to you about bread? Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!"

Good News Translation
How is it that you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? Guard yourselves from the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!"

International Standard Version
How can you fail to understand that I wasn't talking to you about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!"

Majority Standard Bible
How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

NET Bible
How could you not understand that I was not speaking to you about bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!"

New Heart English Bible
Why is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

Webster's Bible Translation
How is it that ye do not understand that I spoke not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Weymouth New Testament
How is it you do not understand that it was not about bread that I spoke to you? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

World English Bible
How is it that you don’t perceive that I didn’t speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
How do you not understand that I did not speak to you of bread—to take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?”

Berean Literal Bible
How do you not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread, but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?"

Young's Literal Translation
how do ye not understand that I did not speak to you of bread -- to take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?'

Smith's Literal Translation
How do ye not understand that I spake not to you concerning bread, to keep from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Why do you not understand that it was not concerning the bread I said to you: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Why do you not understand that it was not because of bread that I said to you: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees?”

New American Bible
How do you not comprehend that I was not speaking to you about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

New Revised Standard Version
How could you fail to perceive that I was not speaking about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
How is it that you did not understand that I was not talking to you about the bread, but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But how do you not understand that it was not about bread that I spoke to you, but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
How is it that you do not understand, that I did not speak of bread when I commanded you to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Godbey New Testament
How do you not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread, to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

Haweis New Testament
How is it that ye do not understand, that I spake not to you of bread, to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Mace New Testament
why, can't you perceive, that in cautioning you to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the Sadducees, I did not speak of bread?

Weymouth New Testament
How is it you do not understand that it was not about bread that I spoke to you? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

Worrell New Testament
How is it that ye do not perceive that I spake not to you concerning bread? but beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?

Worsley New Testament
How is it then that ye do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread, when I bid you to beware of the leaven of the pharisees and of the sadducees?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Leaven to Beware
10Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11How do you not understand that I was not telling you about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12Then they understood that He was not telling them to beware of the leaven used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.…

Cross References
Mark 8:15
“Watch out!” He cautioned them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod.”

Luke 12:1
In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Matthew 15:17-20
“Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated? / But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. / For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. ...

Galatians 5:9
A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough? / Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. / Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.

Exodus 12:15
For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day you are to remove the leaven from your houses. Whoever eats anything leavened from the first day through the seventh must be cut off from Israel.

Leviticus 2:11
No grain offering that you present to the LORD may be made with leaven, for you are not to burn any leaven or honey as a food offering to the LORD.

Deuteronomy 16:3
You must not eat leavened bread with it; for seven days you are to eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left the land of Egypt in haste—so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt.

Hosea 7:4
They are all adulterers, like an oven heated by a baker who needs not stoke the fire from the kneading to the rising of the dough.

Amos 4:4-5
“Go to Bethel and transgress; rebel even more at Gilgal! Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days. / Offer leavened bread as a thank offering, and loudly proclaim your freewill offerings. For that is what you children of Israel love to do,” declares the Lord GOD.

2 Kings 23:5
Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.

Jeremiah 7:9-10
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, / and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’?

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

Ezekiel 13:10
Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built,

Zechariah 8:17
do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, for I hate all these things,” declares the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

How is it that you do not understand that I spoke it not to you concerning bread, that you should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

Mark 4:40
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

Mark 8:21
And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

Luke 12:56
Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?

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Matthew 16
1. The Pharisees require a sign.
5. Jesus warns his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
13. The people's opinion of Jesus,
16. and Peter's confession of him.
21. Jesus foretells his death;
23. reproves Peter for dissuading him from it;
24. and admonishes those who will follow him, to bear the cross.














How is it you do not understand that I was not talking about bread?
How is it
This phrase serves as a rhetorical question posed by Jesus, emphasizing the disciples' lack of comprehension. In the Greek, "πῶς" (pōs) suggests a sense of bewilderment or surprise. Jesus often used questions to provoke thought and self-reflection among His followers. This approach is consistent with rabbinic teaching methods of the time, which encouraged students to engage deeply with the material.

you do not understand
The Greek word for "understand" here is "νοεῖτε" (noeite), which implies a deeper level of perception or insight beyond mere intellectual acknowledgment. Jesus is challenging His disciples to move beyond surface-level thinking to grasp the spiritual truths He is imparting. This call to deeper understanding is a recurring theme in Jesus' teachings, urging believers to seek wisdom and discernment through the Holy Spirit.

that I was not talking
The phrase underscores the distinction between literal and metaphorical language. Jesus often spoke in parables and metaphors, requiring His listeners to discern the underlying spiritual message. The Greek "λέγω" (legō) indicates a deliberate act of communication, suggesting that Jesus' words are purposeful and laden with meaning beyond the immediate context.

about bread?
Bread, in the cultural and historical context of first-century Judea, was a staple of daily life and a symbol of sustenance. However, Jesus frequently used bread metaphorically to represent spiritual nourishment and the Word of God. In this instance, He is redirecting the disciples' focus from physical needs to spiritual truths. The misunderstanding about bread reflects a common human tendency to prioritize material concerns over spiritual growth, a theme that resonates throughout the Gospels.

(11) How is it that ye do not understand?--True to His method of education our Lord does not Himself interpret the parable, but is, as it were, content to suggest the train of thought which led to the interpretation. And the disciples, slow of heart as they were, followed the clue thus given. "Then understood they." Memory did at last quicken faith, and faith imparted the imaginative insight which sees its way through parables and dark sayings.

Verse 11. - That I spake it not to you, etc. The Revised Version, following many modern editors, divides the clause into two, thus: that I spake not to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven, etc. This is the second ground for the Lord's reproof administered to the apostles. They had taken in a carnal, literal sense a word which he had used in a symbolical or mystical meaning. It is the want of spiritual discernment which he censures. They had had frequent opportunities of hearing and appreciating his mode of teaching: miracles, parables, discourses, had an inner signification, which it was their duty to apprehend. The want of understanding was a moral fault for which they were answerable. We may say it would have been easier for our Lord to have spoken of doctrine without using the misunderstood figure of leaven. But it is in the way of his providence to speak words which need thought and grace to make them fully comprehended. They are thus more impressed upon the heart and memory, and bring forth better fruit. A well instructed Hebrew ought to have no difficulty in understanding metaphorical allusions. His Scriptures were full of them, and could not be intelligently read without the light thus cast upon them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
How
πῶς (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

can you not understand
νοεῖτε (noeite)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3539: From nous; to exercise the mind, i.e. to comprehend, heed.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

I was not telling you
εἶπον (eipon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

about
περὶ (peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

bread?
ἄρτων (artōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 740: Bread, a loaf, food. From airo; bread or a loaf.

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

beware
προσέχετε (prosechete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4337: From pros and echo; to hold the mind towards, i.e. Pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to.

of
ἀπὸ (apo)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

yeast
ζύμης (zymēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2219: Leaven, ferment, both lit. and met. Probably from zeo; ferment.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Pharisees
Φαρισαίων (Pharisaiōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 5330: Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

Sadducees.”
Σαδδουκαίων (Saddoukaiōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4523: Probably from Sadok; a Sadducaean, or follower of a certain heretical Israelite.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 16:11 How is it that you don't perceive (Matt. Mat Mt)
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