Articles
How Jesus Was Misunderstood (3)
“‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we have taken no bread.’” (Matthew 16:6-7)
Jesus’ opponents were not the only ones who misunderstood Him; His own disciples were occasionally not on the same page. In this episode, Jesus points out the logical fallacy in their thinking: “Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand … How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?” (16:9-11). A food shortage is not the issue; rather, He is warning of the doctrinal error of the Jewish leadership that will lead to persecution.
Sometimes in our study of Jesus’ words we literalize what is figurative and make figurative what is literal. And we do this for the same reason others did when they listened to Jesus directly: we filter what He teaches through the lenses of pre-conception. Our minds are set on what we believe to be true, and when Jesus contradicts it we immediately look to another explanation that blends with our current view. While this is a natural tendency, we must resist it and try to remain receptive to the truth lest Jesus says to us, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves …?” (16:8).
