Matthew 16:5

What does Matthew 16:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 16:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 16:5 means

After leaving the Pharisees and Sadducees, Jesus and His disciples crossed to the "other side" of the sea, highlighting a transition in their journey and focus. The disciples' forgetfulness to bring bread with them becomes a critical detail, as it immediately sets up a dramatic misunderstanding regarding Jesus' subsequent warning. Their practical oversight creates a natural opening for Jesus to teach them a deeper spiritual truth, initially obscured by their literal interpretation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the disciples came to the other side and forgot to take bread.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the disciples came to the other side and forgot to take bread.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when the disciples came to the other side they had not taken thought to get bread.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And his disciples having come to the other side, forgot to take loaves,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when his disciples were come over the water, they had forgotten to take bread.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

Context

This verse serves as a transition, moving the narrative from the confrontation with the religious leaders to a more intimate teaching moment with the disciples. Their forgetfulness about bread directly precipitates Jesus' warning about 'leaven' in the next verse, setting up the immediate context for their confusion and His subsequent clarification about spiritual discernment.

v.4An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of Jonah. And he left them, and departed.

v.5This passage

v.6And Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 15:39

    And he sent away the multitudes, and entered into the boat, and came into the borders of Magadan.

  • Mark 8:13

    And he left them, and again entering into the boat departed to the other side.

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