What does Matthew 16:8 mean?

What seems like a simple, even humorous misunderstanding earned a surprising reaction from Jesus. The disciples realized they forgot to pack bread for their latest trip to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They are discussing that when Jesus turns to them and warns them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:5–6). The disciples, because He mentioned leaven, assume Jesus is upset they forgot the bread. Or, that He's warning them not to eat bread obtained from those religious leaders.

Instead of finding humor in this mistake, Jesus finds more evidence of the disciples' lack of faith. He asks why they are even talking about having no bread. The fact that they are shows that their first concern is their hunger. As Jesus will remind them in the following verses, He has amply demonstrated that He can feed thousands from small amounts of food (Matthew 16:9–10). Figuring out what they will eat should be the last thing the disciples are worrying about when He is with them.

Every modern-day reader of this passage can identify with the disciples. We all tend to become preoccupied with our most basic problems, rather than listening for what the Provider would say to us about what truly matters. The disciples are missing a spiritual lesson thanks to their preoccupations, which is something all believers do at times. What stings about this is knowing that Jesus just castigated others for ignoring prior miracles—and the disciples are forgetting about His miracles (Matthew 14:13–21) when the worry about bread.