And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

MATTHEW 16:5KJV
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Matthew 16:5 (KJV)

What does Matthew 16:5 mean?

Matthew 16:5 describes how Jesus’ disciples, after crossing to the other side of the lake, realized they had forgotten to bring bread with them. This sets up a moment where the disciples are focused on a practical need—food—while Jesus is about to teach them something deeper.

In this scene, Jesus and his disciples have just traveled by boat, likely across the Sea of Galilee. The disciples are not thinking about spiritual matters but are instead concerned about their lack of bread, which was a basic necessity for travel. This detail prepares the reader for the next verses, where Jesus uses their concern as a teaching opportunity about faith and understanding his message.

The Greek behind Matthew 16:5

  • "Forgotten" (ἐπελάθοντο, epelathonto): This Greek word carries the sense of unintentionally neglecting or failing to remember. It emphasizes that the disciples did not purposefully leave the bread behind; it simply slipped their minds.
  • "Bread" (ἄρτος, artos): In the Greek, this word refers to the common staple food, not a special or symbolic bread. The focus is on a practical, everyday need, highlighting the disciples’ ordinary concerns.

Why Matthew 16:5 matters

  • Matthew 16:5 shows the disciples’ human side, reminding readers that even those closest to Jesus had everyday worries and made simple mistakes.
  • This verse sets up a contrast between physical needs and spiritual lessons, paving the way for Jesus to address deeper issues of faith and understanding in the following verses.
  • By mentioning the forgotten bread, Matthew prepares the reader for Jesus’ upcoming warning about the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees, making the disciples’ concern about bread a key part of the unfolding conversation.

Where else these words appear

“forgotten” Greek G1950 · used in 8 verses

  • Mark 8:14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
  • Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
  • Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

“side” Greek G4008 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 4:15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
  • Mark 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
  • John 1:28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

“bread” Greek G740 · used in 91 verses

  • Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
  • Mark 7:27 But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
  • John 6:23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)