Spiritual Blindness: Seeking Proof — May 11 [Description]Overview of Matthew 16:1-12 & Mark 8:11-26These two passages parallel one another and center around spiritual blindness, misplaced demands for proof, and growing faith.1. Pharisees Demand a Sign (Matthew 16:1-4; Mark 8:11-13)Religious leaders confront Jesus, demanding a miraculous sign from heaven to prove His authority. Jesus refuses, saying that those who truly seek truth don’t need signs—they’ll recognize the "signs of the times." He warns them that only the sign of Jonah (a reference to His future death and resurrection) will be given.Key idea: Some people reject Jesus not because of lack of evidence, but because of hardened hearts.2. The Disciples Misunderstand (Matthew 16:5-12; Mark 8:14-21)Afterward, Jesus warns His disciples about the “yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (i.e., their corrupt teachings and influence). The disciples mistakenly think Jesus is talking about actual bread. He rebukes them gently, reminding them of the miraculous feedings of the crowds and calling out their spiritual dullness.Key idea: Even Jesus’ followers can miss the point if they focus on the physical and ignore the spiritual.3. Healing the Blind Man (Mark 8:22-26 only)Jesus heals a blind man in two stages—first the man sees people like blurry trees, then fully. This healing mirrors the disciples’ own spiritual journey: they’re beginning to see, but not yet clearly.Key idea: Spiritual understanding often comes in stages. Jesus patiently brings clarity.Together, these passages challenge young readers to open their spiritual eyes, stop chasing “proof,” and learn to trust Jesus as their true source of insight and direction. 365D 131

Bible discovery 365D 131

Matthew 16:1-12 365D 131.1

1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. 365D 131.2

2 He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘ It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; 365D 131.3

3 and in the morning, ‘ It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ ^{[a]NU omits Hypocrites} Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 365D 131.4

4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of ^{[b]NU omits the prophet} the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed. 365D 131.5

5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 365D 131.6

6 Then Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of the ^[c]yeast leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” 365D 131.7

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “ It is because we have taken no bread.” 365D 131.8

8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you ^{[d]NU have no bread} have brought no bread? 365D 131.9

9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 365D 131.10

10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? 365D 131.11

11 How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?— but to beware of the ^[e]yeast leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 365D 131.12

12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the ^[f]teaching doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 365D 131.13

Mark 8:11-26 365D 131.14

11 Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. 365D 131.15

12 But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” 365D 131.16

13 And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. 365D 131.17

14 Now ^{[a]NU, M they} the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. 365D 131.18

15 Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the ^[b]yeast leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 365D 131.19

16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “ It is because we have no bread.” 365D 131.20

17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart ^{[c]NU omits still} still hardened? 365D 131.21

18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? 365D 131.22

19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” 365D 131.23

20 “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.” 365D 131.24

21 So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?” 365D 131.25

22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. 365D 131.26

23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. 365D 131.27

24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” 365D 131.28

25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 365D 131.29

26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, ^{[d]NU “Do not even go into the town.”} “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.” 365D 131.30