Luke 11:16

KJV

And others, tempting [him], sought of him a sign from heaven.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} others {G2087}, tempting {G3985} him, sought {G2212} of {G3844} him {G846} a sign {G4592} from {G1537} heaven {G3772}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And others, trying to trap him, demanded from him a sign from Heaven.

Berean Standard Bible

And others tested Him by demanding a sign from heaven.

American Standard Version

And others, trying him, sought of him a sign from heaven.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 11:16 records a pivotal moment where, immediately following Jesus' miraculous expulsion of a demon, some onlookers, rather than embracing His divine authority, maliciously challenged Him. Driven by skepticism and a desire to discredit His ministry, they demanded a spectacular "sign from heaven," seeking an undeniable celestial display to validate His claims, thereby attempting to trap or expose Him as a fraud.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader narrative in Luke's Gospel where Jesus' authority is consistently questioned and His miracles are met with mixed reactions. Just prior to this, in [Luke 11:14](/luke/11-14 "Luke 11:14 - Jesus Casts Out a Mute Demon"), Jesus performs a remarkable exorcism, freeing a mute man from a demon, which causes some to marvel. However, the very next verse, [Luke 11:15](/luke/11-15 "Luke 11:15 - Accusation of Beelzebul"), reveals the immediate, hostile response of "some of them," who accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Luke 11:16 then introduces "others" who, instead of outright accusation, resort to a different form of opposition: demanding a sign. This progression highlights the escalating and varied forms of resistance Jesus faced, moving from direct slander to a manipulative test of His divine credentials.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The demand for a "sign from heaven" was not uncommon in first-century Judaism, particularly among religious leaders like the Pharisees and Sadducees. They often sought dramatic, undeniable manifestations of divine power, perhaps reminiscent of Old Testament miracles such as manna from heaven ([Exodus 16:4](/exodus/16-4 "Exodus 16:4 - Manna from Heaven")), fire from Mount Carmel ([1 Kings 18:38](/1_kings/18-38 "1 Kings 18:38 - Fire from Heaven at Mount Carmel")), or the sun standing still ([Joshua 10:12-14](/joshua/10-12-14 "Joshua 10:12-14 - The Sun Stands Still")). For many, a truly divine Messiah would perform such a sign to authenticate His mission. However, for those in Luke 11:16, the request was not born of genuine inquiry but of a hardened heart and a desire to control the narrative or force Jesus into a situation where He would either fail or confirm their preconceived notions of a Messiah, which often excluded His current humble ministry.
* **Key Themes:** The passage contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke and the Gospels. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Skepticism and Unbelief**, demonstrating that even undeniable miracles were insufficient for those whose hearts were closed to truth. Despite Jesus' powerful works, these individuals refused to accept His divine authority, demanding a specific, grander sign, implying His current works were inadequate. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Testing and Tempting Jesus**. The act of "tempting" (Greek: _peirazō_) implies a malicious intent to find fault or to force Jesus into a compromising situation, rather than a sincere search for truth. This mirrors the devil's temptations in the wilderness ([Luke 4:1-13](/luke/4-1-13 "Luke 4:1-13 - The Temptation of Jesus")), designed to undermine His mission. Finally, it speaks to the **Nature of Authentic Faith**, which Jesus consistently taught does not rely on constant, overwhelming proof but on a willingness to trust and believe based on the evidence already given and the truth revealed. Jesus often pointed to His works as sufficient proof, but He would not perform miracles on demand for those who sought to discredit Him, as seen in His response later in [Luke 11:29](/luke/11-29 "Luke 11:29 - The Sign of Jonah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **tempting (Greek, _peirázō_):** This verb signifies to test, try, or put to the proof, often with an underlying intent to discover fault, to entice to sin, or to lead into error. It is distinct from a simple inquiry, carrying a connotation of malicious intent or a desire to entrap. In this context, it reveals the adversarial nature of those seeking the sign.
* **sought (Greek, _zētéō_):** This word means to seek, search for, or endeavor to obtain. While it can imply a genuine quest, when paired with _peirázō_ here, it takes on a more sinister nuance, indicating a deliberate and persistent effort to find a reason to reject Jesus or to force His hand.
* **sign (Greek, _sēmeîon_):** Refers to an indication, a distinguishing mark, token, or a miracle that serves as proof of divine power or authority. The demand for a "sign from heaven" specifically suggests a desire for a dramatic, undeniable celestial phenomenon, something beyond the scope of His earthly miracles, to authenticate His claims.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And others,"**: The Greek particle _dé_ (G1161) often translated "and" or "but," here introduces a new group or a different kind of opposition. While some accused Jesus of demonic power (Luke 11:15), "others" resorted to a more subtle, yet equally hostile, tactic of demanding proof. This highlights the varied nature of unbelief and resistance Jesus encountered.
* **"tempting [him],"**: This phrase reveals the malicious intent behind their request. They were not genuinely seeking truth or confirmation of Jesus' identity; rather, they were testing Him, attempting to find a flaw in His ministry, to expose Him as a deceiver, or to force Him to perform according to their expectations, thereby setting a trap.
* **"sought of him a sign from heaven."**: This specifies the nature of their demand. They desired a spectacular, undeniable miracle originating directly from the heavens, perhaps a celestial display or a sign of cosmic proportions, which they believed would be irrefutable evidence of divine authentication. This demand implicitly dismisses the earthly miracles Jesus had already performed as insufficient or questionable, revealing their deep-seated skepticism and unwillingness to believe based on the evidence already presented.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 11:16 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Irony** is prominent, as those who demand a "sign from heaven" have just witnessed a powerful, undeniable miracle—the casting out of a demon—yet they remain unconvinced. Their request for *more* evidence, despite the overwhelming proof already given, underscores their hardened hearts and spiritual blindness. There is also an element of **Antithesis** at play, contrasting genuine faith, which responds to the truth revealed in Jesus' words and deeds, with a cynical, demanding unbelief that seeks to dictate the terms of divine revelation. The "sign from heaven" itself functions as **Symbolism**, representing not a sincere desire for truth, but a human attempt to control God and force Him to conform to preconceived notions of power and authority, rather than submitting to His revealed will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates the human tendency to resist divine truth, even in the face of overwhelming evidence. It highlights that unbelief is often not a lack of evidence, but a refusal to accept the evidence presented, driven by hardened hearts, preconceived notions, or a desire to maintain control. The demand for a "sign from heaven" reveals a spiritual blindness that prioritizes human validation over divine revelation, failing to recognize God's work already manifest. This episode sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on the "sign of Jonah," emphasizing that His death and resurrection would be the ultimate, sufficient sign for a generation that refused to believe.

* [Matthew 12:38-39](/matthew/12-38-39 "Matthew 12:38-39 - The Sign of Jonah")
* [John 4:48](/john/4-48 "John 4:48 - Unless You See Signs and Wonders")
* [1 Corinthians 1:22](/1_corinthians/1-22 "1 Corinthians 1:22 - Jews Demand Signs, Greeks Seek Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 11:16 serves as a powerful mirror for self-examination, prompting us to consider the posture of our own hearts towards God. Are we genuinely seeking to understand and believe, or are we, like those in the passage, demanding specific proofs or experiences from God before we will fully trust Him? This passage challenges the notion that more evidence necessarily leads to more faith; often, it is a matter of the heart's willingness to respond to the truth already revealed. We are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of faith that recognizes God's hand in the ordinary and extraordinary, rather than perpetually waiting for a spectacular "sign from heaven." True faith embraces the sufficiency of what God has already provided in Christ and His Word, rather than constantly testing Him or demanding further, self-serving evidence. It calls us to move beyond a transactional relationship with God, where belief is contingent on a divine performance, towards a trusting relationship rooted in His character and demonstrated love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be demanding a "sign from heaven" from God instead of trusting His revealed will or past faithfulness?**
* **How does my response to God's existing revelation (e.g., His Word, His works in creation, His work in my life) reflect genuine faith versus a demanding skepticism?**
* **What preconceived notions or desires might prevent me from truly seeing and accepting God's work as it is, rather than as I expect it to be?**

### FAQ

**Why did these "others" specifically ask for a "sign from heaven" if Jesus had already performed miracles?**

Answer: The demand for a "sign from heaven" was a specific type of challenge, often from those who sought to discredit Jesus. While Jesus performed many miracles on earth (like casting out the demon in [Luke 11:14](/luke/11-14 "Luke 11:14 - Jesus Casts Out a Mute Demon")), these individuals likely considered such acts susceptible to trickery or demonic influence (as evidenced by the accusation in [Luke 11:15](/luke/11-15 "Luke 11:15 - Accusation of Beelzebul")). A sign from heaven, such as fire from the sky or a celestial phenomenon, was seen as an irrefutable, divine authentication that could not be faked or attributed to evil powers. Their request was not a genuine search for truth but a malicious test, designed to corner Jesus or expose Him if He failed to produce such a sign on demand.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 11:16, with its depiction of a generation demanding a sign, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself being the ultimate and sufficient sign. While His contemporaries sought a spectacular display from the sky, Jesus consistently pointed to His own person and impending work as the true divine authentication. He is the very Word made flesh, the visible image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "The Supremacy of Christ")). The "sign from heaven" that humanity truly needed was not a fleeting celestial event, but the incarnation of God's Son, His life, His atoning death, and His glorious resurrection. Jesus later declared that the only sign that would be given to that wicked generation was the "sign of Jonah" ([Luke 11:29-30](/luke/11-29-30 "Luke 11:29-30 - The Sign of Jonah")), foreshadowing His burial for three days and His subsequent resurrection, which unequivocally proved His divine authority and messianic claims. Thus, the ultimate "sign from heaven" is the resurrected Christ, through whom God has spoken His final and most definitive word to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "God Has Spoken by His Son")), offering salvation to all who believe, not based on demanding further proofs, but on trusting in the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 6:30

They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

Matthew 16:1

¶ The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

Matthew 16:4

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

1 Corinthians 1:22

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

Matthew 12:38

¶ Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

Matthew 12:39

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Mark 8:11

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.