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

36And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” 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.” 39But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish 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

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 16:1One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
• Mark 8:11When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had arrived, they came and started to argue with him. Testing him, they demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
• Luke 11:16Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.
• John 2:18But the Jewish leaders demanded, “What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it.”
• John 4:48Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”
• 1 Corinthians 1:22It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human 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