Matthew 16:1-12
Q.1. Did the Pharisees and Sadducees believe in miracles? Why did Jesus refuse to give them a further sign? Is the story of Jonah true? What would they understand by the sign of Jonah? – (Mt.16:1-4)
It may seem that the Sadducees and Pharisees had the same beliefs, since they happily joined forces to destroy Jesus. However, the Sadducees were liberals who did not believe in miracles or the resurrection from the dead (Mt.22:23 c.f. Acts 23:6-9). When Jesus performed miracles, the leaders undermined the faith of the common people by attributing His powers to Satan. Thus they committed the unpardonable sin (Mt.12:22-32). On an earlier occasion, Jesus reaffirmed the story of Jonah as a historical fact. He applied the sign of Jonah to Himself – for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Mt.12:40). He acknowledged their ability to interpret the natural signs of the weather, but clearly saw their blind inability to discern the signs of the times. Knowing their record of maligning Him and His ministry, Jesus refused to give them a further sign, except for one  – An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah (Mt.16:4). Though they refused to believe in Him, they knew exactly what He meant.
Q.2. What did the disciples understand to be the leaven of the religious leaders? Why was their concern about forgetting bread unnecessary? What was the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees – (Mt.16:5-12)?
Not long after this interaction, the disciples went with Jesus into a boat. The disciples had forgotten to take bread (Mt.16:5). As the good Shepherd, Jesus warned them – … Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt.16:6). He was referring to – … the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt.16:12). However, they thought He was dropping a hint because they had forgotten to take bread (Mt.16:7). Their preoccupation was totally misplaced. Jesus was quick to remind them that a lack of food had never been a problem to Him. On two separate occasions, He had miraculously provided a meal for thousands of people with plenty to spare (Mt.16:9-11). They had not just misunderstood His concern over the false teaching of the religious leaders but had shown a lack of faith in Jesus, and in His ability to meet all their needs. (Mt.16:8).