Bible Strands
Matthew 12:38
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Following Jesus’ declaration that words will either acquit or condemn, some scribes and Pharisees address Him as “Teacher” and demand visible proof.
The words — The Greek apekrithēsan (answered) and tines (some) frame the reply as a measured response from a specific group rather than a spontaneous outburst.
The thread — The demand for a sign recurs in Mark 8:11 and Luke 11:16, where religious leaders test Jesus, and Paul identifies it in 1 Corinthians 1:22 as a characteristic Jewish request.
Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to recognize that demanding proof as a prerequisite for belief ignores Jesus’ prior teaching on accountability and His immediate redirection to the sign of Jonah.
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
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 1:22 Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom,
- Mark 8:11 Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, testing Him by demanding from Him a sign from heaven.
- Luke 11:16 And others tested Him by demanding a sign from heaven.
- 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.
- John 2:18 On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?”
- Matthew 16:1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.
- John 4:48 Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.”
- John 6:30 So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do?