*Matthew 15:32-16:12
Jesus miraculously feeds four thousand people, then warns his disciples about the Pharisees’ desire for signs.
- Feeding of the Four Thousand:
- Jesus, moved by compassion for the crowds following him, performs another miraculous feeding.
- With only seven loaves of bread and a few fish, he feeds a multitude of four thousand men, plus women and children.
- After everyone has eaten their fill, seven baskets of leftovers are collected.
- This miracle demonstrates Jesus’s abundant provision and care for his followers, regardless of their numbers.
- Demand for a Sign:
- Pharisees and Sadducees approach Jesus, demanding a sign from heaven to prove his authority.
- Jesus rebukes them, highlighting their hypocrisy for being able to discern weather signs but not the signs of the times.
- He refuses to perform a sign for them, recognizing their hardened hearts and lack of genuine faith.
- Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees:
- Jesus warns his disciples to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees, likening them to leaven that spreads throughout dough.
- Initially, the disciples misunderstand Jesus’s metaphor, thinking he refers to physical bread.
- Jesus clarifies that he is warning them about the spiritual danger of the Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ teachings, which can corrupt true faith.
- Through this interaction, Jesus emphasizes the importance of spiritual discernment and staying true to his teachings amidst conflicting ideologies.
Matthew 15:32–16:12 teaches us to trust in God’s provision and to be careful about what influences our hearts and minds. Jesus shows His compassion by feeding thousands, reminding us that God knows our needs and will take care of us. He also warns His disciples about false teachings, showing us the importance of staying close to God’s truth instead of being misled by wrong ideas. In our daily lives, we should rely on God’s care, be grateful for what we have, and seek wisdom from His Word to guide our thoughts and decisions.
Matthew 15:32-16:12 (WEB)
15:32 Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way.”33 The disciples said to him, “Where could we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”34 Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”35 He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground; 36 and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. 37 They all ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. 38 Those who ate were four thousand men, in addition to women and children. 39 Then he sent away the multitudes, got into the boat, and came into the borders of Magdala.16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 But he answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 In the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can’t discern the signs of the times! 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”He left them and departed. 5 The disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”7 They reasoned among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.”8 Jesus, perceiving it, said, “Why do you reason among yourselves, you of little faith, because you have brought no bread? 9 Don’t you yet perceive or remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up, 10 or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 11 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.”12 Then they understood that he didn’t tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.