Matthew 16:8
Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
Original Language Analysis
γνοὺς
perceived
G1097
γνοὺς
perceived
Strong's:
G1097
Word #:
1 of 15
to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 15
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 15
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
αὐτοῖς,
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς,
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 15
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Τί
why
G5101
Τί
why
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
7 of 15
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
διαλογίζεσθε
reason ye
G1260
διαλογίζεσθε
reason ye
Strong's:
G1260
Word #:
8 of 15
to reckon thoroughly, i.e., (genitive case) to deliberate (by reflection or discussion)
ἑαυτοῖς
yourselves
G1438
ἑαυτοῖς
yourselves
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
10 of 15
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ὀλιγόπιστοι
O ye of little faith
G3640
ὀλιγόπιστοι
O ye of little faith
Strong's:
G3640
Word #:
11 of 15
incredulous, i.e., lacking confidence (in christ)
ὅτι
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
12 of 15
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
Matthew 6:30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?Matthew 14:31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?Mark 16:14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.Matthew 8:26And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.Revelation 2:23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.Hebrews 4:13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.John 16:30Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
Historical Context
Jesus had just fed 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) and 4,000 (15:32-39) miraculously. The disciples participated in distributing multiplied bread both times—they held the evidence in their hands. Yet crossing the lake without provisions triggered immediate anxiety, showing how quickly miracle-memory fades under pressure.
Questions for Reflection
- Where is your faith 'little'—believing doctrinally but failing practically when tested?
- What 'reasoning among yourselves' do you engage in that ignores God's demonstrated faithfulness?
- How can you move from 'little faith' to mature trust that remembers past provision?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
O ye of little faith (ὀλιγόπιστοι)—oligopistos, Jesus's signature rebuke in Matthew (6:30, 8:26, 14:31), literally 'little-faiths.' Not faithless (apistos), but stunted, immature faith that knows truth yet fails to apply it. Jesus perceived (γνούς) their whispered reasoning—divine omniscience sees anxious hearts.
Why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Jesus exposes their faithless logic. After feeding thousands, worrying about one meal reveals profound spiritual blindness. The question format emphasizes the absurdity: 'Why are you calculating when you've witnessed divine multiplication?' This prepares for verses 9-10's reminder of recent miracles.