Matthew 16:7

7 So they were discussing [this] among themselves, saying, "[It is] because we did not take bread."

Matthew 16:7 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 7 And they reasoned among themselves
Either what should be the meaning of this caution of Christ's, and upon what account he should say this to them; or they were anxiously concerned what they should do for provision:

saying, because we have taken no bread;
for the phrase, "it is", is a supplement, and is not in the original text, which confines the sense to the first way of interpretation; the words may be read without it, and confirms the other sense, and which receives strength from what follows.

Matthew 16:7 In-Context

5 And [when] the disciples arrived at the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.

6 And Jesus said to them, "Watch out for and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees!"

7 So they were discussing [this] among themselves, saying, "[It is] because we did not take bread."

8 But knowing [this], Jesus said, "Why are you discussing among yourselves that you did not take bread, [you] of little faith?

9 Do you not yet understand or do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up?

Footnotes

• [a] *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation