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.
• 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.”
• New Living Translation (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.”

Context of Matthew 12:38

36But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” 39He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 12:38 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thenτότεtote · thenG5119
• certainτιςtis · oneG5100
• of the scribesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• of the scribesγραμματεύςgrammateus · scribeG1122
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• of the PhariseesΦαρισαῖοςPharisaios · PhariseeG5330
• answeredἀποκρίνωapokrinomai · to answerG611
• sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Masterδιδάσκαλοςdidaskalos · teacherG1320
• we wouldθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• seeὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• a signσημεῖονsēmeion · signG4592
• fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
• theeσύsu · youG4771

Cross-references for Matthew 12:38

• Matthew 16:1The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
• Mark 8:11The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven.
• Luke 11:16Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.
• John 2:18The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
• John 4:48“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”
• 1 Corinthians 1:22Jews demand signs and Greeks look 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