Matthew 12:38

Matthew 12:38 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
• New International Version (NIV)Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you."
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”

Context of Matthew 12:38

36But I say unto you, that every idle word which men shall say, they shall render an account of it in judgment-day: 37for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Then answered him some of the scribes and Pharisees, saying, Teacher, we desire to see a sign from thee. 39But he, answering, said to them, A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and a sign shall not be given to it save the sign of Jonas the prophet. 40For even as Jonas was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights, thus shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.

Matthew 12:38 word by word

Τότε ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ τινες τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων λέγοντες· διδάσκαλε, θέλομεν ἀπὸ σοῦ σημεῖον ἰδεῖν.¶Read the interlinear

• answeredἀποκρίνωapokrinomai · to answerG611
• scribesγραμματεύςgrammateus · scribeG1122
• PhariseesΦαρισαῖοςPharisaios · PhariseeG5330
• sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Teacherδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320
• desireθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• seeὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• signσημεῖονsēmeion · signG4592

Cross-references for Matthew 12:38

• Matthew 16:1And the Pharisees and Sadducees, coming to [him], asked him, tempting [him], to shew them a sign out of heaven.
• Mark 8:11And the Pharisees went out and began to dispute against him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
• Luke 11:16And others tempting [him] sought from him a sign out of heaven.
• John 2:18The Jews therefore answered and said to him, What sign shewest thou to us, that thou doest these things?
• John 4:48Jesus therefore said to him, Unless ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe.
• 1 Corinthians 1:22Since Jews indeed ask for signs, and Greeks seek wisdom;

Commentaries on Matthew 12:38

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 38We 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 satisfied.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 38-42Verses 38-42 We would see a sign from thee - See Luke 11:16, Luke 11:29-32. 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 adds that this was done “tempting him;” that is, trying him, doubting if he had the power to do it. If these persons had been present with him for any considerable time, they had already seen sufficient proofs that he was what he claimed to…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 38-45Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 38See a sign: People expected the Messiah to perform amazing miracles. This expectation was probably inspired by stories about Moses (Exodus 4:1–9; see also Isaiah 7:11, 14; 38:7–8). They believed the Messiah would show these miracles on demand (see Matthew 16:1–4; Luke 23:8; John 2:18; 4:48; 6:30; 7:31; 9:16; 11:47; 1 Corinthians 1:22).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3838. Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master--"Teacher," equivalent to "Rabbi." we would see a sign from thee--"a sign from heaven" (Lu 11:16); something of an immediate and decisive nature, to show, not that His miracles were real--that they seemed willing to concede--but that they were from above, not from beneath. These were not the same class with those who charged Him with being in league with Satan (as we see from Lu…Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 12:38

• Jesus Continued
• Jesus, the Christ
• Miracles
• Pharisees
• Scribe (S)
• Sign

In the dictionaries

• Adulterous
• Condemn
• Desolation
• Idle
• Judgment
• Miracle
• Restore
• Sin
• Wither
• Jesus Christ

Commentaries on Matthew 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings