Mark 8:12

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.

And {G2532} he sighed deeply {G389} in his {G846} spirit {G4151}, and saith {G3004}, Why {G5101} doth {G1934} this {G3778} generation {G1074} seek after {G1934} a sign {G4592}? verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, There shall no {G1487} sign {G4592} be given {G1325} unto this {G5026} generation {G1074}.

With a sigh that came straight from his heart, he said, "Why does this generation want a sign? Yes! I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation!"

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.”

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

Commentary

Context

This verse immediately follows an encounter where the Pharisees, along with some Herodians, came to Jesus and began to question Him, "seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him" (Mark 8:11). This demand for miraculous proof of His authority came despite Jesus having already performed numerous public miracles, including healing the sick, casting out demons, and most recently, feeding four thousand people with a few loaves and fishes (Mark 8:1-9). Their request was not born of genuine inquiry but of skepticism and a desire to trap Him, reflecting a deep-seated unbelief.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Jesus' Profound Sorrow and Frustration: The phrase "he sighed deeply in his spirit" reveals Jesus' intense emotional response. It indicates not just annoyance, but a deep grief or indignation over the spiritual hardness and unbelief of the people, particularly the religious leaders, who consistently failed to recognize God's work right before their eyes.
  • The Nature of Unbelief: This "generation" (referring to the people of that time, characterized by their spiritual disposition) continuously sought external validation through signs, rather than responding to the clear evidence already provided by Jesus' life, teachings, and miracles. Their demand for a sign was a symptom of a deeper spiritual blindness and a refusal to acknowledge His divine authority.
  • Refusal to Perform on Demand: Jesus firmly states, "There shall no sign be given unto this generation." He refuses to satisfy their insincere demands or to be manipulated into proving Himself on their terms. True faith does not require a constant barrage of new miracles but responds to what God has already revealed. This refusal echoes similar encounters documented in the Gospels, particularly when He spoke of the sign of the prophet Jonah (Matthew 12:39-40; Matthew 16:4).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "sighed deeply" is anastenaxas (ἀναστενάξας), which conveys a strong groan or sigh that comes from deep within, often expressing profound grief, indignation, or exasperation. It's more than a mere sigh; it suggests a visceral reaction to the spiritual dullness and opposition He encountered. The term "generation" (genea - γενεά) here refers not just to a chronological age group but to a particular type of people characterized by their moral and spiritual disposition, in this case, one marked by unbelief and a demand for external proof.

Practical Application

Mark 8:12 serves as a powerful reminder that true faith is not built on a continuous demand for miraculous signs or supernatural phenomena. While God does perform miracles, He does not do so to satisfy skeptical curiosity or to validate Himself to those who refuse to believe. This verse challenges believers to examine the foundation of their own faith: Is it rooted in a genuine heart response to God's revealed truth and His character, or is it always seeking more proof? The "sigh" of Jesus also calls us to consider His compassion and sorrow over human unbelief, urging us to cultivate a spirit of receptiveness and trust in what God has already provided through His Word and His Son, Jesus Christ. True faith, as the Bible teaches, is not about constantly demanding new miracles but about trusting in God's character and His revealed Word, even when we do not see immediate evidence.

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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

  • 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:

  • Matthew 12:40

    For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

  • Mark 7:34

    And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

  • John 12:37

    ¶ But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

  • John 12:43

    For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

  • 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.

  • Luke 11:29

    ¶ And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
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