Matthew 16:9

9 Do ye not yet understand nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many hand-baskets ye took [up]?

Matthew 16:9 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 16:9

Do ye not understand
Meaning either the sense of the advice he had now given; or rather his almighty power displayed in the two miracles of feeding five thousand at one time, and four thousand at another, with a very small quantity of provision; for to this the word "understand" refers, as well as the following:

neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many
baskets ye took up?
Have you forgot what was so lately done, namely, the feeding five thousand men, besides women and children, with five loaves and two fishes, when ye took up, after all were filled and satisfied, no less than twelve baskets of fragments? And can you, after this, distrust my power in the care of you? Have I fed so many with so small a quantity of food? and am I not able to feed twelve of you, though you have but one loaf? Why all these anxious thoughts and carnal reasonings?

Matthew 16:9 In-Context

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, Because we have taken no bread.

8 And Jesus knowing [it], said, Why reason ye among yourselves, O ye of little faith, because ye have taken no bread?

9 Do ye not yet understand nor remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many hand-baskets ye took [up]?

10 nor the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took [up]?

11 How do ye not understand that [it was] not concerning bread I said to you, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?

Footnotes

• [a]. A round-plaited hand-basket for a journey.