Bible Strands
Mark 8:12
Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the Pharisees immediately after they argue with Him and demand a sign from heaven to test Him. He speaks this response before leaving them and crossing to the other side.
The words — ἀναστενάξας (anastenaxas) translates literally as "having sighed deeply," denoting the physical and spiritual action Jesus takes in His own spirit before speaking.
The thread — The rejection of demanded signs and the description of a demanding generation appear in Matthew 12:39 and Matthew 16:4, while the action of sighing deeply recurs in Mark 7:34.
Why it lands — The text demands a reader stop treating divine revelation as a negotiated transaction and accept God's self-disclosure on His own terms.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
Cross-references
- Matthew 12:39 Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
- Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.
- Mark 7:34 And looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means, “Be opened!”).
- John 12:37 Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him.
- Luke 11:29 As the crowds were increasing, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.
- Mark 3:5 Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored.
- Luke 22:67 “If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe.
- Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
- Mark 6:6 And He was amazed at their unbelief. And He went around from village to village, teaching the people.
- Mark 9:19 “O unbelieving generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to Me.”