πῶς οὐ νοεῖτε ὅτι οὐ περὶ ἄρτων εἶπον ὑμῖν προσέχειν ἀπὸ τῆς ζύμης τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων; (Matthew 16:11)
Introduction: A Question of Perception
This verse captures Yeshua’s rebuke to the disciples for misunderstanding His warning. It’s not about literal bread but symbolic leaven. The Greek offers a grammatical case study in negation, indirect discourse, and emphasis—all woven into a rhetorical question.
πῶς οὐ νοεῖτε – How Do You Not Understand?
- πῶς – interrogative adverb, “how?”
- οὐ – negative particle, “not” (used here to express frustration or rhetorical emphasis)
- νοεῖτε – present active indicative, 2nd person plural from νοέω, “you understand / perceive”
This is a rhetorical question expressing exasperation. The structure mirrors Hebrew prophetic style: “How do you not get it?”
ὅτι οὐ περὶ ἄρτων εἶπον ὑμῖν – That I Did Not Speak to You About Bread
This is a case of indirect discourse, introduced by ὅτι:
- οὐ – negation applying to the content of speech
- περὶ ἄρτων – prepositional phrase, “about loaves”
- εἶπον – aorist active indicative, 1st person singular of λέγω, “I said”
- ὑμῖν – dative plural pronoun, “to you”
Jesus clarifies that His prior warning was not literal, despite the disciples’ assumption. The double use of negation intensifies the correction.
προσέχειν ἀπὸ τῆς ζύμης – To Beware of the Leaven
- προσέχειν – present active infinitive from προσέχω, “to pay attention / beware”
- ἀπό – preposition governing genitive, “from” or “against”
- τῆς ζύμης – genitive singular, “of the leaven”
This command—previously misunderstood—is now restated. “Leaven” symbolizes corrupting doctrine or influence.
τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων – Of the Pharisees and Sadducees
- Both nouns are genitive plural, dependent on ζύμης
- Pharisees = legalistic traditionalists
- Sadducees = temple elite with rationalist tendencies
The two sects represent opposing errors—but both are spiritual dangers. The genitive construction ties their teachings to the metaphor of leaven.
Grammar Spotlight Table
| Phrase | Grammatical Type | Function | Interpretive Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| πῶς οὐ νοεῖτε | Interrogative + negation | Rhetorical question | Expresses frustration at slow understanding |
| ὅτι οὐ περὶ ἄρτων εἶπον | Indirect discourse with negation | Clarifies prior speech | “Not about bread” = symbolic meaning |
| προσέχειν ἀπὸ τῆς ζύμης | Infinitive clause with genitive | Commanded caution | “Leaven” as spiritual metaphor |
| τῶν Φαρισαίων καὶ Σαδδουκαίων | Genitive of source | Describes the leaven | Both parties as doctrinal threats |
More Than Bread
This verse calls disciples to discernment, not just obedience. Jesus’ challenge—“How do you not perceive?”—is not about intellect, but about spiritual attentiveness. The failure to understand symbolism leads to misapplication. Greek grammar here reinforces Jesus’ central concern: not physical provision, but corrupt teaching.
