Mat 16:1-12 | NETfull | STEP | Now when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

Matthew 16:1-12

1 Now when the Pharisees ^{▼▼ See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.} and Sadducees ^{▼▼ See the note on Sadducees in 3:7.} came to test Jesus, ^{▼▼ The object of the participle πειράζοντες (peirazontes) is not given in the Greek text but has been supplied here for clarity.} they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. ^{▼▼ What exactly this sign would have been, given what Jesus was already doing, is not clear. But here is where the fence-sitters reside, refusing to commit to him.} 2 He ^{▼▼ Grk “But answering, he said to them.” The construction has been simplified in the translation and δέ (de) has not been translated.} 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.’ ^{▼▼ Or “red and gloomy” (L&N 14.56).} You know how to judge correctly the appearance of the sky, ^{▼▼ Grk “The face of the sky you know how to discern.”} 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 ^{▼▼ Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.} he left them and went away.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

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 ^{▼▼ See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.} and Sadducees.” ^{▼▼ See the note on Sadducees in 3:7.} 7 So ^{▼▼ Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the implied result of Jesus’ saying about the Pharisees and Sadducees.} they began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “It is because we brought no bread.” 8 When Jesus learned of this, ^{▼▼ Or “becoming aware of it.”} he said, “You who have such little faith! ^{▼▼ Grk “Those of little faith.”} Why are you arguing ^{▼▼ Or “discussing.”} among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you 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 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.