Commentaries Dictionaries Concordances

The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

Matthew 12:38

MATTHEW—NOTE ON Matthew 12:38 a sign. Jesus had already performed many miracles (“signs”) that proved his messianic identity.

⇐ ⇔ ⇒
Continues after advertising

See also Matthew 12:38 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 38. _WE WOULD SEE A SIGN FROM THEE._] That is, we wish now to see thee work a miracle. Pride, vain curiosity, and incredulity, have never proof sufficient of the truth: for they _will not_ be _s...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    WE WOULD SEE A SIGN FROM THEE - See Luke 11:16, Luke 11:29. A “sign” commonly signifies a miracle - that is, a sign that God was with the person or had sent him. Compare the notes at Isaiah 7:11. Luke...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    9. THE REJECTION CONSUMMATED AND THE BROKEN RELATIONSHIP. CHAPTER 12 1. The Hungry Disciples and the Accusing Pharisees. (Matthew 12:1 .) 2. The Man with the Withered Hand Healed.(Matthew 12:10 .) 3...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    JESUS-' ANSWER TO THE VERDICT OF THE JERUSALEM SCRIBES, AND THE INTERVENTION OF HIS FAMILY (Mark 3:20 *, Luke 11:14; Luke 11:29; Luke 12:10;...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE REQUEST FOR A SIGN REFUSED (Luke 11:29. From Q. _Cf._ Mark 8:11 f.*= Matthew 16:1_ a_, Matthew 16:4). Mt. uses the incident here as an addit

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    Then the Scribes and Pharisees answered him: "Teacher, they said, "we wish to see a sign from you." He answered, "It is an evil and apostate generation which seeks a sign. No sign will be given to it,...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    CRISIS (Matthew 12:1-50) In Matthew 12:1-50 we read the history of a series of crucial events in the life of Jesus. In every man's life there are decisive moments, times and events on which the whole...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    MASTER. Teacher. See App-98. Matthew 12:1. WOULD. desire. Greek. _thelo._ App-102. SEE. to see. Greek. _eidon._ A SIGN. The first of _six_ "signs" asked for. Compare Matthew 16:1; Matth

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The Pharisees ask for a Sign St Luke 11:16; Luke 11:29-32. St Luke omits, or at least does not state explicitly, the special application of the sign given in Matthew 12:40, to understand which requir...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _we would see a sign from thee_ This is the second expedient taken by the Pharisees after their resolution to destroy Jesus....

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΘΈΛΟΜΕΝ�. This is the second expedient taken by the Pharisees after their resolution to destroy Jesus....

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    THE PHARISEES ASK FOR A SIGN St Luke 11:16; Luke 11:29-32. St Luke omits, or at least does not state explicitly, the special application of the sign given in Matthew 12:40, to understand which require...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    VER 38. THEN CERTAIN OF THE SCRIBES AND OF THE PHARISEES ANSWERED, SAYING, "MASTER, WE WOULD SEE A SIGN FROM THEE." 39. BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, "AN EVIL AND ADULTEROUS GENERATION SEEKETH A...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _THE CLAIMS OF THE SAVIOR MATTHEW 12:38-45:_ Jesus had every right to call on people to repent and to be righteous, (1) He is greater than the temple (Matthew 12:6), (2) He is greater that Jonah (Matt...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΆΠΕΚΡΊΘΗΣΑΝ _aor. ind. pass. (dep.) от_ ΆΠΟΚΡΙΝΟΜΑΙ (G611) отвечать, ΛΈΓΟΝΤΕΣ _praes. act. part. от_ ΛΈΓΩ, _см._ Matthew 12:32. ΣΗΜΕΊΟ Ν (G4592) знак (TDNT). От Иисуса требуют знамения в качестве до...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    THEN CERTAIN OF THE SCRIBES, &C.— Though our Saviour's reasoning was clear and unanswerable, yet some of the Scribes and Pharisees, desirous to divert the discourse to another topic, and fully demonst...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    Section 29 JESUS GIVES THE SIGN OF JONAH (Possible Parallel: Luke 11:16; Luke 11:24; Luke 11:26; Luke 11:29-32) TEXT: 12:38-45 38.

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. THEN CERTAIN OF THE SCRIBES AND OF THE PHARISEES ANSWERED, SAYING, MASTER, [ Didaskale (G13...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    24 It is usual to associate this chief of the demons with the god of Ekron, called Baalzebub, _ Owner _ or _ Lord of Flies _ (2Ki_1:2). This the Septuagint renders _ Baal muian, Baal fly_. But all the...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    PLUCKING CORN ON THE SABBATH. BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST 1-8. Plucking the corn on the sabbath (Mark 2:23; Luke 6:1). This chapter begins the period of active conflict with the Pharisees. It is...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    Luke 11:16 : cp. Matthew 16:1; Mark 8:11. A SIGN] Lk 'a sign from heaven': something startling, unlike the healing of the sick to which they were accustomed. Let Him repeat the miracle of Moses, and c...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    A SIGN DEMANDED. Astounding impudence after they had just ascribed His miracles to Beelzebub, and declared Him possessed with an unclean spirit. It was the practice of Jesus to work signs for those wh...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    MATTHEW’S GOOD NEWS MATTHEW’S *GOSPEL _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 12 QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO USE GOD’S REST DAY 12:1-14 Matthew gives two examples of the ‘*yoke’ of the *Jewish law: 1. The *disciples...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    MASTER, WE WOULD SEE A SIGN FROM THEE. — The order varies slightly from that in St. Luke, in which the demand for a sign follows on the parable of the unclean spirit returning to his house. In both, h...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    Chapter 10 The Shadow of the Cross - Matthew 11:1; Matthew 12:1 I-DISCOURAGEMENTS. Matthew 11:1 HITHERTO almost everything has been hopeful and encouraging in our Evangelist's record of the Saviour'...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    _A sign asked and refused, with relative discourse_ (Luke 11:16; Luke 11:29-36). Both Matt.'s and Luke's reports convey the impression that the demand for a sign, and the enunciation of the Satanic th...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    σημεῖον : what kind of a sign? They thought the cure of demoniacs a sign from _hell_. Elsewhere we read of their asking a sign from _heaven_ (Matthew 16:1). From what quarter was the sign now asked to...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    OPPOSING OR DOING GOD'S WILL Matthew 12:38-50 It was an evil and adulterous age. It had no spiritual appreciation, and was intent on getting an outward and sensible sign. Nineveh itself would have co...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This chapter chronicles direct attacks on Christ. The first was petty and foolish. It is on the question of the Sabbath. The Master gives to His people the true conception of the sanctity of the Sabba...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    (8) Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. (8) Against perverse desires of miracles....

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _We would see a sign. They wanted to see some new and unusual miracles. They wished, says St. Jerome, either that he would call down fire from heaven, like Elias; or, like Samuel, cause it to rain, to...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    CHAPTER 24 THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES SEEK A SIGN FROM HEAVEN Matthew 12:38-45; Luke 11:16-36. “Then certain ones of the scribes and Pharisees responded, saying, Master, we wish to see a sign from The...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    "Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. (39) But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a si...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Chapter 8, which opens the portion that comes before us tonight, is a striking illustration as well as proof of the method which God has been pleased to employ in giving us the apostle Matthew's accou...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    At length the rejection of the nation, in consequence of their contempt of the Lord, is plainly shewn, as well as the cessation of all His relations with them as such, in order to bring out on God's p...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    THEN CERTAIN OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES ANSWERED,.... Not the same that charged him with casting out devils, by the prince of devils; but others, that were present, as appears from Luke 11:16 and wh...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. Ver. 38. _Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees_] Had not these, as one said of Nero, _os...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Then certain of the scribes_, &c. Now present, upon hearing how plainly Christ admonished, and how severely he rebuked them, _answered_ Probably with a view to divert the discourse to another topic,...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    A SIGN; some miraculous appearance from heaven. Compare chap Matthew 16:1; MARK 8:11; JOHN 6:30. Like all cavillers, they profess not to be satisfied with the proofs he had given them of his divine mi...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    THE SIGN FROM HEAVEN AND A WARNING. A request: THEN CERTAIN OF THE SCRIBES AND OF THE PHARISEES ANSWERED, SAYING, MASTER, WE WOULD SEE A SIGN FROM THEE. The emphatic manner of speaking which Christ h...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    We have seen that Matthew groups events with a dispensational end in view, and chapter 12 shows a building up on Israel's part to a state of utter rejection of their Messiah. The expression "at that t...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    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 Abr...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    We read the like to this MATTHEW 16:1, and Luke seemeth to relate the same history, LUKE 11:29. MASTER was the usual title which they gave to any whom they owned as a teacher. By A SIGN they mean some...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Dialogue of Justin "And that He would rise again on the third day after the crucifixion, it is written[412] A Strain of Jonah the Prophet 150 To be a sign hereafter of the Lord[14]...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Matthew 12:38 Then G5119 some G5100 scribes G1122 and G2532 Pharisees G5330 answered G611 (G5662) saying G3004 ...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we would see a sign from you.” ‘Then' is a connecting word (compare Matthew 12:22) and, like most connecting words in the Go...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    INTRODUCTORY NOTE. These occurrences seem to have followed each other in immediate succession. Luke places the last one (Matthew 12:46-50) after the parable of the sower, but Mark gives the same order...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Matthew 12:38. THEN CERTAIN OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES. ‘Others' (Luke 11:16); on the same occasion, however. MASTER, or ‘Teacher.' In this instance the term was either a polite formality or used...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    A SIGN FROM THEE (απο σου σημειον). One wonders at the audacity of scribes and Pharisees who accused Jesus of being in league with Satan and thus casting out demons who can turn round and blandly a...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Matthew 12:38 Truth through and by life. Consider in what respects Christ was greater than Solomon. I. The Proverbs could not well be spared from the Bible nor dropped out of the life of the world....

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Matthew 12:38 In every age, and perhaps more as the world grows older, men's hearts are apt to utter the same wish. The mind, afloat, as it were, on a vast sea, needs, and with reason, a sure anchor....

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Matthew 12:38. _Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Matthew 12:38. _Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, an evil and adulterous generation seeketh...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Jesus announces Himself Lord of Sabbath, Controversy with Pharisees. Healing of the withered hand. A demoniac healed. The unpardonable sin. Death and resurrection foretold. Deficiency of sel...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Matthew 12:2. _Thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath- day._ The pharisees did not find fault with eating a few ears of barley in their hunger, while others enjoyed their fea...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    WE WANT TO SEE YOU PERFORM A MIRACLE. See Matthew 16:1; Luke 11:16; Luke 11:29. They had just seen him drive out an evil spirit. They wanted to trap Jesus....

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Master, we would see a sign from Thee._ RELIGIOUS SIGN-SEEKERS I. That the demand for additional advantages generally comes from those already Possessed of very many. It was the scribes and Pharis...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    1-50 CHAPTER XII. _At that time Jesus went through the corn fields_ (Through the crops of corn becoming white, or ripe), &c. Luke adds that this Sabbath was the first from the second (_Vulg_.); which...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Matthew 12:38. A SIGN.—See Luke 11:16. They wanted something of an immediate and decisive nature, to show, not that His miracles were real—that they seemed willing to concede—but that...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION MATTHEW 12:1 The opposition that our Lord met with (1) from his enemies (Matthew 12:1); (2) from his relations (Matthew 12:46-4

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn to the twelfth chapter of the gospel of Matthew? Jesus was not one to follow traditions. He's already pointed out in the Sermon on the Mount, that through their interpretation of the law...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 1:22; John 2:18; John 4:48; Luke 11:16; Luke 11:29;...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    We would see a sign — Else we will not believe this. Matthew 16:1; Luke 11:16, Luke 11:29....

  • When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties, Norman L. Geisler and Thomas Howe, 1960

    Did Jesus contradict Himself by saying there would be no sign given (cf. Matthew 12:38-39)? PROBLEM: In Mark, the Pharisees ask for a sign from Jesus, but He says that no sign shall be given to that...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Observe here, 1. The request which the Pharisees make to Christ; MASTER, WE WOULD SEE. SIGN FROM THEE. But had not Christ showed them signs enough already? What were all the miracles wrought in their...

Continues after advertising