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 tell you that for every careless word that people speak, they will give an account of it on the day of judgment. 37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign; and so no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet; 40for just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for 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

• Thenτότεtote · thenG5119
• someτιςtis · oneG5100
• of the scribesγραμματεύςgrammateus · scribeG1122
• and PhariseesΦαρισαῖοςPharisaios · PhariseeG5330
• saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• to Him, “Teacherδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320
• we wantθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• to seeὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• signσημεῖονsēmeion · signG4592

Cross-references for Matthew 12:38

• Matthew 16:1The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and putting Jesus to the test, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven.
• Mark 8:11And the Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, demanding from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him.
• Luke 11:16Others, to test Him, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven.
• John 2:18The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as Your authority for doing these things?”
• John 4:48Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”
• 1 Corinthians 1:22For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for 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