Mark 8:11-21

New Testament for Everyone

The leaven of the Pharisees and Herod

¹¹ The Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Jesus. They were asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him out.

¹² Jesus groaned deeply in his spirit. “Why is this generation looking for a sign?” he said. “I’m telling you the truth: no sign will be given to this generation.” ¹³ He left them again, got into the boat, and crossed over to the other side.

¹⁴ They had forgotten to get any bread, and had only one loaf with them in the boat.

¹⁵ “Beware!” said Jesus sternly to them. “Watch out for leaven—the Pharisees’ leaven, and Herod’s leaven too!”

¹⁶ “It must be something to do with us not having any bread,” they said to each other.

¹⁷ “Why are you grumbling about not bringing bread?” said Jesus, who knew what they were thinking. “Don’t you get it? Don’t you understand? Have your hearts gone hard?

“And don’t you remember? ¹⁹ When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken bits were left over?”

“Twelve,” they said.

²⁰ “And the seven loaves for the four thousand—how many baskets full of bits were left over?”

“Seven,” they replied.

²¹ “You still don’t get it?” he asked.