Luke 11:16

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

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

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

And others tested Him by demanding a sign from heaven.

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

Commentary

Luke 11:16 presents a moment of intense challenge to Jesus, immediately following His powerful act of casting out a demon, which some onlookers attributed to Beelzebub.

Context

This verse is part of a broader narrative in Luke where Jesus' authority is constantly questioned by religious leaders and skeptics. Just prior to this, in Luke 11:14, Jesus performs a remarkable miracle by casting out a demon that caused muteness, leading some to marvel. However, "others," instead of believing, seize the opportunity to discredit Him. Their demand for a "sign from heaven" is not a genuine search for truth but a continuation of their hostile opposition, seeking to trap or expose Him.

Key Themes

  • Skepticism and Unbelief: Despite witnessing undeniable miracles performed by Jesus, these individuals refuse to accept His divine authority. They demand a specific, grander sign, implying that His current works are insufficient or suspect. This highlights a deep-seated resistance to acknowledging who Jesus is.
  • Testing and Tempting Jesus: The word "tempting" (Greek: peirazō) here implies a malicious intent to test Jesus, to find fault, or to force Him into a situation where He might fail. It's not a request born of sincere curiosity but of an adversarial spirit. This is akin to the devil's temptations in the wilderness, designed to undermine His mission.
  • The Nature of Authentic Faith: Jesus consistently resisted demands for signs when the heart was hardened by unbelief. True faith doesn't 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 (Matthew 12:39).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "tempting" is peirazō (πειράζω), which means to test, try, or put to the proof, often with an underlying intent to discover fault or to entice to sin. It's distinct from a simple inquiry. The term "sign" is sēmeion (σημεῖον), referring to a distinguishing mark, token, or 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, perhaps reminiscent of Old Testament events like manna from heaven or fire from God.

Related Scriptures

This demand for a sign from heaven is a recurring theme in the Gospels, often coming from the Pharisees and Sadducees. Similar instances can be found in Matthew 12:38 and Matthew 16:1. Jesus' consistent response to such demands, especially when motivated by unbelief, was to refuse to give any sign except the "sign of Jonah," referring to His death and resurrection (Luke 11:29-30).

Practical Application

Luke 11:16 serves as a powerful reminder that not all seeking is genuine. We must examine our own hearts: are we truly seeking to understand and believe, or are we demanding specific proofs from God before we will trust Him? The passage encourages us 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." It highlights the importance of responding to the truth already revealed, rather than constantly testing God or demanding further evidence.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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