Matthew 12:38 kjv
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
Matthew 12:38 nkjv
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You."
Matthew 12:38 niv
Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you."
Matthew 12:38 esv
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you."
Matthew 12:38 nlt
One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority."
Matthew 12 38 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 16:1 | The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Him...demanded that He show them a sign from heaven. | Similar demand, showing ongoing skepticism. |
| Mark 8:11 | The Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven... | Parallel account in Mark. |
| Lk 11:16 | Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. | Parallel account in Luke. |
| Lk 11:29 | When the crowds were increasing, He began to say, "This generation is an evil generation. It seeks a sign..." | Jesus' broader rebuke against seeking signs. |
| Jn 2:18 | So the Jews answered and said to Him, "What sign do You show to us...?" | Jews earlier demanding a sign regarding the temple. |
| Jn 6:30 | So they said to Him, "What then do You do as a sign...?" | After the feeding of the 5000, they still ask for a sign. |
| Jn 4:48 | Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe." | Highlights human tendency to rely on the miraculous for faith. |
| 1 Cor 1:22 | For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, | Paul confirms the Jewish expectation of signs. |
| Matt 12:39 | But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign..." | Jesus' immediate rejection and rebuke to this demand. |
| Matt 12:40 | "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." | The "sign of Jonah" - referring to His resurrection. |
| Lk 11:30 | "For as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation." | Resurrection as the definitive sign. |
| Dt 18:22 | when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord...if the word does not happen...that is the word which the Lord has not spoken. | Old Testament criteria for a true prophet. |
| Ex 4:1-9 | Moses uses signs to validate his commission from God to Pharaoh. | God gives signs to authenticate His messengers. |
| Jn 20:30-31 | Many other signs truly Jesus did...these are written that you may believe... | John testifies that Jesus performed many signs, already sufficient. |
| Jn 12:37 | But though He had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in Him. | Spiritual blindness despite abundant evidence. |
| 2 Cor 4:4 | whose minds the god of this age has blinded... | Explains the spiritual blindness of those who reject truth. |
| 2 Thess 2:9 | The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders. | Warns against deceptive signs performed by evil. |
| Phil 2:6 | who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself... | Contrast to their demand for Jesus to "perform" rather than "be" the sign. |
Matthew 12 verses
Matthew 12 38 Meaning
Matthew 12:38 records the religious leaders' demand for Jesus to perform a miraculous sign. Despite having just witnessed a profound healing and hearing Jesus' teaching, a segment of the scribes and Pharisees sought further, external proof of His authority. This demand did not stem from a genuine desire for faith, but rather from skepticism, a desire to trap Him, or an unwillingness to accept the ample evidence already presented. They were not seeking a miracle as much as a specific, authenticating sign on their own terms, demonstrating their hardened hearts and spiritual blindness.
Matthew 12 38 Context
Matthew chapter 12 portrays escalating conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees. Just before this verse, Jesus healed a man who was demon-possessed, blind, and mute, causing the crowds to wonder if He was the Son of David (Matt 12:22-23). The Pharisees, instead of acknowledging this miracle, maliciously attributed His power to Beelzebul, the ruler of demons (Matt 12:24). Jesus sharply rebuked them, warning them against blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and stating that "by your words you will be condemned" (Matt 12:25-37). It is immediately after this intense confrontation, following direct testimony of Jesus' power and explicit teaching on the state of their hearts, that these scribes and Pharisees demand a sign. This demonstrates their refusal to accept His divine power and message, seeing signs as external proof separate from faith, or as a test for entrapment rather than genuine seeking.
Matthew 12 38 Word analysis
- Then (τότε - tote): This temporal adverb indicates immediate sequence. It emphasizes that this demand came directly after Jesus' severe rebuke concerning their blasphemy and hardened hearts. It wasn't an isolated event but a reaction to their inability to refute His previous statements.
- some of the scribes and Pharisees (τινὲς τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων - tines tōn grammateōn kai Pharisaiōn):
- "some of": Not all scribes and Pharisees are implicated, suggesting there was division, or perhaps these were their most antagonistic representatives.
- "scribes": Experts in Jewish law, interpreters, and teachers. Their position gave them authority over people's understanding of scripture.
- "Pharisees": A dominant religious sect known for strict adherence to Mosaic law and oral tradition. They represented mainstream Jewish piety but were often at odds with Jesus over issues of legalism versus grace, and outward appearance versus inner righteousness. Their combined presence signifies the official religious establishment challenging Jesus.
- answered Him (ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ - apekrithēsan autō): "Answered" here does not necessarily imply a respectful reply to a question. In this context, it functions as "responded to," often signifying a retort or counter-statement in an ongoing argument. They are engaging in debate, not dialogue.
- saying (λέγοντες - legontes): Introduces their direct speech, revealing their precise demand.
- Teacher (Διδάσκαλε - Didaskale): While "Teacher" is a respectful form of address (indicating they recognize Jesus as one who teaches, akin to a rabbi), its use here is likely ironic or manipulative. They addressed Him as a teacher, yet consistently rejected His teaching and authority, often seeking to trip Him up.
- we want (θέλομεν - thelomen): Expresses a strong desire or intention. This isn't a meek request but an assertive demand, reflecting their perceived authority to impose conditions upon Him.
- to see (ἰδεῖν - idein): To perceive, to behold with the eyes or mind. They wanted a visible, tangible, and unmistakable proof.
- a sign (σημεῖον - sēmeion): This is the pivotal word. It refers to a mark, token, or wonder that authenticates a person or message, pointing beyond itself to a greater truth. They had witnessed Jesus perform many miracles (δυνάμεις - dynameis, acts of power) like healings and exorcisms. However, they were demanding a specific "sign," possibly a dramatic celestial event or something unequivocally miraculous to confirm His claims on their terms. This indicates their unbelief; they wanted a sign not for belief, but as a test, implying all Jesus' previous works were insufficient or could be explained away.
- from You (ἀπὸ σοῦ - apo sou): Explicitly indicates the source of the demanded sign must be Jesus Himself. It's a direct challenge to Him to demonstrate His divine accreditation by performing a specific act to satisfy their criteria.
Matthew 12 38 Bonus section
The demand for a sign by the scribes and Pharisees highlights a recurrent theme in the Bible: the contrast between those who believe God's Word and His acts, and those who demand specific conditions or visible proofs. This contrasts sharply with childlike faith, which accepts revelation and believes, even without sensational displays. Their request can also be seen as an attempt to control divine revelation, wanting God to conform to their expectations rather than humbling themselves to receive His truth. This ongoing spiritual blindness eventually led to their ultimate rejection of Jesus as the Christ, sealing their own judgment.
Matthew 12 38 Commentary
Matthew 12:38 encapsulates the spiritual bankruptcy of the scribes and Pharisees. After witnessing irrefutable miracles and hearing powerful teachings, they remained obstinate, shifting their accusation from Beelzebul to demanding another sign. This was not a humble quest for truth but a calculated challenge stemming from unbelief and malice. Jesus' refusal to grant them a sign, except the "sign of Jonah" (His death, burial, and resurrection), underscored that genuine faith does not demand spectacular proofs but responds to God's self-revelation. Their spiritual blindness prevented them from recognizing God already working powerfully among them. Their insistence on external signs over inner transformation reveals a superficial understanding of God's ways and a deep-seated rejection of His Messiah.