Matthew 16:5-7

The NIV translation of Matthew 16:5 is clearer than that of the NASB. "When they went across the lake" pictures what follows as happening either during the journey, probably by boat, or after it. Jesus was still thinking about the preceding conflict with the Pharisees and Sadducees, but the disciples were thinking about food. Leaven or yeast is primarily an illustration of something small that inevitably spreads and has a large effect (cf. Matthew 13:33). Often it stands for the spread of something evil, as it does here (cf. Exodus 34:25; Leviticus 2:11; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8). The disciples may not have understood what Jesus meant because they were thinking in literal terms, but He was speaking metaphorically. Perhaps they were still thinking about Jesus’ instructions for their mission in Matthew 10:9-11. [Note: France, The Gospel . . ., p. 609.] Another possibility follows.

"They thought the words of Christ implied, that in His view they had not forgotten to bring bread, but purposely omitted to do so, in order, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, to ’seek of Him a sign’ of His divine Messiahship-nay, to oblige Him to show such-that of miraculous provision in their want. The mere suspicion showed what was in their minds, and pointed to their danger. This explains how, in His reply, Jesus reproved them, not for utter want of discernment, but only for ’little faith.’" [Note: Edersheim, The Life . . ., 2:71.]