Matthew 16:1-12

Easy-to-Read Version

Some People Doubt Jesus’ Authority^(A)

16 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus. They wanted to test him. So they asked him to show them a miracle as a sign from God.

² Jesus answered, “When you people see the sunset, you know what the weather will be. If the sky is red, you say we will have good weather. ³ And in the morning, if the sky is dark and red, you say that it will be a rainy day. These are signs of the weather. You see these signs in the sky and know what they mean. In the same way, you see the things that are happening now. These are also signs, but you don’t know their meaning. ⁴ It is the evil and sinful people who want to see a miracle as a sign from God. But no miracle will be done to prove anything to them. The only sign will be the miracle that happened to Jonah.^[a]” Then Jesus went away from there.

Jesus’ Followers Misunderstand Him^(B)

⁵ Jesus and his followers went across the lake. But the followers forgot to bring bread. ⁶ Jesus said to the followers, “Be careful! Guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

⁷ The followers discussed the meaning of this. They said, “Did Jesus say this because we forgot to bring bread?”

⁸ Jesus knew that they were talking about this. So he asked them, “Why are you talking about not having bread? Your faith is small. ⁹ Do you still not understand? Remember the five loaves of bread that fed the 5000 people and the many baskets you filled with the bread that was left? ¹⁰ And remember the seven loaves of bread that fed the 4000 people and the many baskets you filled that time? ¹¹ So how could you think that I am concerned about bread? I am telling you to be careful and guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

¹² Then the followers understood what Jesus meant. He was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread. He was telling them to guard against the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.