Matthew 12:38

Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

BSB

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”

KJV

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

ASV

Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee.

BBE

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees, hearing this, said to him, Master, we are looking for a sign from you.

Original Greek

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The early church

Could then anything be more foolish than these men (not more impious only), who after so many miracles, as though none had been wrought, say, "We would see a sign from Thee?" With what intent then did they so speak? That they might lay hold of Him again. For since by His words He had stopped their mouths, once and twice and often, and had checked their shameless tongue, they come to His works again. At which also the evangelist marvelling again, said, "Then certain of the scribes answered Him, asking a sign." "Then," when? When they ought to be stooping before Him, to admire, to be amazed and give way, "then" they desist not from their wickedness. And see their words too, teeming with flattery and dissimulation. For they thought to draw Him towards them in that way. And now they insult, now they flatter Him; now calling Him a demoniac, now again "Master," both out of an evil mind, how contrary soever the words they speak.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Matthew
They require a sign of Him, as though what they had seen were not signs; and in another Evangelist what they required is more fully expressed, We would see of thee a sign from heaven. Either they would have fire from heaven as Elias did; or after the example of Samuel they would that in summer-time, contrary to the nature of the climate, thunder should be heard, lightnings gleam, and rain descend; as though they could not have spoken falsely even against such miracles, and said that they befel by reason of divers hidden motions in the air. For if thou cavillest against what thou not only beholdest with thine eyes, but feelest with thine hand, and reapest the benefit of, what wilt thou do in those things which come down from heaven. You might make answer, that in Egypt the magi also had given many signs from heaven.
Jerome · d. 420Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 38–45

Though Christ is always ready to hear and answer holy desires and prayers, yet those who ask amiss, ask and have not. Signs were granted to those who desired them to confirm their faith, as Abraham and Gideon; but denied to those who demanded them to excuse their unbelief. The resurrection of Christ from the dead by his own power, called here the sign of the prophet Jonah, was the great proof of Christ's being the Messiah. As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale, and then came out again alive, thus Christ would be so long in the grave, and then rise again. The Ninevites would shame the Jews for not repenting; the queen of Sheba, for not believing in Christ. And we have no such cares to hinder us, we come not to Christ upon such uncertainties. This parable represents the case of the Jewish church and nation. It is also applicable to all those who hear the word of God, and are in part reformed, but not truly converted. The unclean spirit leaves for a time, but when he returns, he finds Christ is not there to shut him out; the heart is swept by outward reformation, but garnished by preparation to comply with evil suggestions, and the man becomes a more decided enemy of the truth. Every heart is the residence of unclean spirits, except those which are temples of the Holy Ghost, by faith in Christ.

Read Matthew Henry on Matthew 12 →

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Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.