The Religious Leader’s Demand
June 30, 2022
Commentary
We find the Pharisees and Sadducees who are normally opposing each other, uniting in one common effort to silence Jesus (v. 1). The Pharisees were the traditionalists of their day and the Sadducees were the liberals. For the fourth time these religious leaders were asking for a sign more spectacular than healing.
In reply Jesus rebuked them for not being able to interpret the “signs of the times” that had already been given. They were able to predict the weather but they could not or would not interpret the spiritual signs of the times (v. 2-3). They did not lack evidence; they lacked honesty and humility. Their demand for a sign revealed the sad condition of their hearts; they were evil and adulterous. Once before Jesus had spoken of the “sign of the prophet Jonah” (Matt. 12:39-41). As Jonah had spent theee days in the belly of the great fish, so Jesus would spend three days “in the heart of the earth” before His resurrection.
As Jesus left these religious leaders, He warned His disciples against leaven (false doctrine) of the Pharisees and Sadducees (vv. 4-5). The disciples misunderstood Him and thought He was referring to the fact they had forgotten to bring along bread for the trip. They were more concerned about their own lack of food than what Jesus was trying to teach them (vv. 6-12). Because of this He rebuked them for their lack of faith in Him to provide. He reminded them of how He had multiplied the bread and fish for the 5,000 and the 4,000. Their “little faith” kept them from understanding His teaching and depending on His power to meet their needs.
Application
Have I ever found myself so concerned about some need that I have, that I forgot that God has already met similar needs and He will meet this need also? Concerns and anxiety can hinder me from learning the spiritual truths He wants to teach me in a present circumstance.
Matthew 16:1– 12 (NET)
1 Now when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He said, “When evening comes you say, ‘It will be fair weather, because the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, because the sky is red and darkening.’ You know how to judge correctly the appearance of the sky, but you cannot evaluate the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away.
5 When the disciples went to the other side, they forgot to take bread. 6 “Watch out,” Jesus said to them, “beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 So they began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “It is because we brought no bread.” 8 When Jesus learned of this, he said, “You who have such little faith! Why are you arguing among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the 5,000, and how many baskets you took up? 10 Or the seven loaves for the 4,000 and how many baskets you took up? 11 How could you not understand that I was not speaking to you about bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!” 12 Then they understood that he had not told them to be on guard against the yeast in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.