Matthew - 16:8



8 Jesus, perceiving it, said, "Why do you reason among yourselves, you of little faith, 'because you have brought no bread?'

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Matthew 16:8.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
And Jesus knowing it, said: Why do you think within yourselves, O ye of little faith, for that you have no bread?
And Jesus knowing it, said, Why reason ye among yourselves, O ye of little faith, because ye have taken no bread?
And Jesus having known, said to them, 'Why reason ye in yourselves, ye of little faith, because ye took no loaves?
Jesus perceived this and said, "Why are you reasoning among yourselves, you men of little faith, because you have no bread?
And Jesus, seeing it, said, O you of little faith, why are you reasoning among yourselves, because you have no bread?
But Jesus, becoming aware of this, said, 'You of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves about having no bread?
Then Jesus, knowing this, said: "Why do you consider within yourselves, O little in faith, that it is because you have no bread?
On noticing this, Jesus said, "Why are you talking among yourselves about your being short of bread, you of little faith?

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Why do you think within yourselves, etc.? The disciples again show how little they had profited by the instructions of their Master, and by his wonderful works. What he had said about being on their guard against the leaven is rashly interpreted by them as if Christ intended only to withdraw them from outward intercourse. As it was customary among the Jews not to take food in company with irreligious men, the disciples imagine that the Pharisees were classed with such persons. This ignorance might perhaps have been endured; but they are forgetful of a favor which they lately received, and do not consider that Christ has the remedy his power to hinder them from being compelled to pollute themselves by meat and drink, and therefore he reproves them sharply, as they deserved. And certainly it was shameful ingratitude that, after having seen bread created out of nothing, and in such abundance as to satisfy many thousands of men, and after having seen this done twice, they are now anxious about bread, as if their Master did not always possess the same power. From these words we infer that all who have once or twice experienced the power of God, and distrust it for the future are convicted of unbelief; for it is faith that cherishes in our hearts the remembrance of the gifts of God, and faith must have been laid asleep, if we allow them to be forgotten.

When Jesus perceived, he said - Αυτοις, unto them, is wanting in BDKLMS, and twenty others; one of the Syriac, the Armenian, Ethiopia, Vulgate, and most of the Itala; also in Origen, Theophylact, and Lucifer Calaritanus. Mill approves of the omission, and Griesbach has left it out of the text.
O ye of little faith - There are degrees in faith, as well as in the other graces of the Spirit. Little faith may be the seed of great faith, and therefore is not to be despised. But many who should be strong in faith have but a small measure of it, because they either give way to sin, or are not careful to improve what God has already given.

[Which] when Jesus (d) perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
(d) Not by others, but by virtue of his divinity.

Which when Jesus perceived,.... Without hearing any of their debates, but by his omniscience; for he knew the doubts and unbelief, and anxious solicitude of their minds, as well as their private reasonings one with another:
he said unto them, O ye of little faith; a phrase used upon a like occasion, when he would dissuade his disciples from an anxious distressing care about a livelihood, Matthew 6:30; see Gill on Matthew 6:30,
why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? blaming one another for your negligence and forgetfulness in this matter; distressing your minds, as if you should be famished and starved, because ye have not brought a quantity of bread, as you used to do with you.

Why reason ye - Why are you troubled about this? Am I not able, if need so require, to supply you by a word?

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