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?

MATTHEW 16:11KJV
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Matthew 16:11 (KJV)

What does Matthew 16:11 mean?

Matthew 16:11 shows Jesus correcting his disciples for misunderstanding his warning about “leaven.” He explains that he was not talking about literal bread, but about something deeper related to the teachings or influence of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his closest followers after they worried about not having bread. He points out that his warning to “beware of the leaven” was not about food, but about the corrupting influence or teachings of certain religious leaders. This moment highlights how the disciples were still learning to recognize when Jesus was speaking figuratively rather than literally.

The Greek behind Matthew 16:11

  • ἄρτος (artos; G740): This word means “bread.” Jesus clarifies that his warning was not about physical bread, which the disciples had been concerned about, but about something symbolic.
  • ζύμη (zymē; G2219): This word means “leaven” or “yeast.” In Jewish thought, leaven often symbolized something that spreads and influences, usually in a negative way, such as corrupt teaching or hypocrisy.
  • προσέχετε (prosechete; G4337): This word means “beware” or “be on guard.” Jesus uses a strong term to alert his disciples to pay careful attention, showing the seriousness of his warning about the Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ influence.

Why Matthew 16:11 matters

  • Matthew 16:11 helps clear up a common misunderstanding: Jesus was not concerned about food, but about spiritual danger from misleading teachings.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of discernment—recognizing when a warning is about something deeper than the obvious, physical meaning.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage, where Jesus is teaching his disciples to look beyond surface issues and to be alert to the real threats to their faith.

Where else these words appear

“leaven” Greek G2219 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
  • Mark 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

“do” Greek G3539 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
  • Mark 8:17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
  • Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

“Sadducees” Greek G4523 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
  • Matthew 22:23 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,
  • Acts 4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

“beware” Greek G4337 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
  • Luke 20:46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
  • 1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.