1. Matthieu 16:8 (NEG79)
  2. Explication du texte

Why did Jesus admonish the disciples discussing the fact that they have no bread as being of little faith?

Matthieu 16:8 (NEG79)

8 Jésus, l'ayant su, dit: Pourquoi raisonnez-vous en vous-mêmes, gens de peu de foi, sur le fait que vous n'avez pas pris de pains?

En bref

Jesus rebukes them for being of little faith (Matthew 16:8), because, having forgotten to buy bread (Matthew 16:7), they still thought that the only solution was to go and buy bread, even though they had already seen both his miraculous feedings (Matthew 16:9–10). He addresses them here as he did Peter as he began to sink (Matthew 14:31). Between the story of Peter and his faltering faith and this account of the disciples’ little faith, we read about the Canaanite woman who had great faith (Matthew 15:28). Knowing the thoughts of his disciples, Jesus rebukes them for their little faith (see also Matthew 14:31;, Matthew 15:16). Perhaps this little faith is all the more serious here, as it appears in connection with unbelieving opponents. This question uses the same reasoning that later applies to unbelievers (Matthew 21:25), showing how even God’s children can travel far along the road of unbelief without being completely lost.

Jesus admonishes the disciples as being of little faith (Matthew 16:7) because they, having forgotten to buy bread (Matthew 16:7), were still under the impression that the only solution to their problem was to go and buy bread—even though they had already witnessed both his miraculous feedings (Matthew 16:9–10) and had accompanied him for so long during his ministry. He addresses them here in the same way as he did Peter as he began to sink (Matthew 14:31). Between the story of Peter and his faltering faith and this account of the disciples’ little faith, we read about the Canaanite woman who had great faith (Matthew 15:28).1
Jesus, who knows the thoughts of his opponents, also knows those of his disciples. He rebukes them for their little faith (see also Matthew 14:31; Matthew 15:16). Perhaps this little faith is all the more serious here, since it appears in connection with unbelieving opponents. To some extent the apostles still stand on their side. It is remarkable, after all, that in his question Jesus uses the very same reasoning that is also later applied to unbelievers (Matthew 21:25). This shows that even God’s children can travel quite far along the road of unbelief without being completely lost.2