Matthew 16 - Pharisees Test Jesus
16 The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? 4 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away.
- The Pharisees and Sadducees were the religious leaders
o The big robes, the big hats, the front row seats, the public recognition, the honor
o They also had a lot to do with commerce and arranging marriages
o They had the social and economic power and it was being disrupted by Jesus
- So they come up to Jesus to test him (to try and trip him up)
o They ask Him to show them a sign from heaven
o He had already done countless miracles and hundreds or thousands of people saw it and reported back to them (they knew already)
- Jesus describes the stupidity of their request by describing how simple men know when a storm is approaching by looking up. These religious leaders can’t even decern the spiritual weather when its right in front of them (obviously they are spiritually blined)
- Jesus describes them as an adulterous generation seeking a sign
o Adulty is sinning against your first love
o As a spiritual leader, their first love should be God
- And so no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah
o In the belly of the whale for 3-days and then returned back to life
5 And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, “He said that because we did not bring any bread.” 8 But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand or remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets full you picked up? 10 Or the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many large baskets full you picked up? 11 How is it that you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
- The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (religious leaders) was their teaching their own doctrines on men rather than of God. Misleading people away from God and enriching themselves, their power and position.
- Five loaves and the five thousand (grace multiplied) 12 baskets left over
o Five is the number for grace
o Five thousand is grace multiplied
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