Matthew 12:38

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} certain {G5100} of the scribes {G1122} and {G2532} of the Pharisees {G5330} answered {G611}, saying {G3004}, Master {G1320}, we would {G2309} see {G1492} a sign {G4592} from {G575} thee {G4675}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At this some of the Torah-teachers said, "Rabbi, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."

Berean Standard Bible

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 12:38, a pivotal confrontation unfolds as certain scribes and Pharisees approach Jesus, not in genuine inquiry, but with a demand for a miraculous sign. This request immediately follows Jesus' powerful healing ministry and His sharp rebuke of their blasphemous accusations, highlighting their spiritual imperviousness and persistent unbelief despite overwhelming evidence of His divine authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a broader narrative demonstrating Jesus' authority and the escalating opposition from religious leaders. Immediately preceding this demand, Jesus performs a remarkable miracle, healing a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, leading the crowds to question if He was the "Son of David" ([Matthew 12:22-23](/matthew/12-22-23 "Matthew 12:22-23 - Jesus Heals a Blind and Mute Man")). Instead of acknowledging His divine power, the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons ([Matthew 12:24](/matthew/12-24 "Matthew 12:24 - The Pharisees' Blasphemous Accusation")). Jesus then delivers a scathing indictment against their spiritual blindness and warns them about the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit ([Matthew 12:31-32](/matthew/12-31-32 "Matthew 12:31-32 - Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit")). The demand for a sign in [Matthew 12:38](/matthew/12-38 "Matthew 12:38 - The Demand for a Sign") thus emerges not from a desire for truth, but as a continuation of their hardened skepticism and an attempt to trap or discredit Him, despite the abundant signs already provided.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scribes (grammateis) were experts in Jewish law, responsible for copying and interpreting the Torah, often holding significant influence in Jewish society. The Pharisees (Pharisaioi) were a prominent religious sect known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, often seen as the spiritual guardians of Israel. Both groups represented the religious establishment of the time. Their demand for a "sign" was not unusual; Jewish culture often looked for miraculous displays as authentication of prophetic claims or divine intervention, as seen in the Exodus narrative or the ministry of Elijah. However, their specific request here is colored by their prior accusations and their deep-seated resistance to Jesus' ministry. They sought a sign on their terms, perhaps a spectacular display from heaven, rather than recognizing the profound spiritual signs Jesus was already performing through His healings, exorcisms, and authoritative teaching. This reflects a broader tension between Jesus' new covenant ministry and the rigid legalism of the religious elite.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Matthew. It underscores the theme of **spiritual blindness and unbelief** among the religious leaders, who, despite witnessing undeniable evidence of Jesus' divine power, remain hardened and resistant to His claims. Their demand for a sign highlights the contrast between **faith based on genuine revelation** and a **demand for external proof** driven by skepticism or malice. This encounter also foreshadows the **rejection of Jesus by the Jewish religious establishment**, a recurring motif throughout Matthew. Furthermore, Jesus' subsequent response, promising only the "sign of Jonah" ([Matthew 12:39-40](/matthew/12-39-40 "Matthew 12:39-40 - The Sign of Jonah")), pivots the understanding of a "sign" from a spectacular display to the profound theological significance of His death, burial, and resurrection, which is the ultimate and sufficient sign of His Messiahship. This sets the stage for the climactic events of the Passion and Resurrection, which are central to the Gospel's message of salvation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **scribes (Greek, _grammateús'_):** Derived from a word meaning "writing," a _grammateús_ was primarily a writer or secretary, but in a Jewish context, referred to a scholar of the Mosaic Law. These individuals were experts in the Torah, responsible for its interpretation and application. Their presence here signifies the official religious and legal authority confronting Jesus, highlighting that the opposition came from the very custodians of God's law.
* **Pharisees (Greek, _Pharisaîos'_):** This term, meaning "separatist," designated a prominent Jewish religious sect known for their strict observance of both the written Law and extensive oral traditions. They were influential among the common people and often presented themselves as the most devout. Their joining with the scribes in this demand underscores a united front of religious orthodoxy against Jesus, revealing their spiritual pride and inability to recognize God's work outside their established paradigms.
* **sign (Greek, _sēmeîon'_):** This word refers to an indication, especially one that is ceremonial or supernatural, encompassing miracles, tokens, or wonders. While miracles often served as authenticating signs of divine activity, the scribes and Pharisees here are not seeking a genuine confirmation of truth. Instead, their demand for a _sēmeîon_ is a challenge, a test, or an attempt to force Jesus into a display that would either fit their preconceived notions or provide grounds for accusation. It signifies their desire for a spectacular, on-demand demonstration rather than an acceptance of the profound spiritual and physical healings already performed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,"**: This clause establishes the immediate context following Jesus' powerful teachings and the Pharisees' previous accusations. The phrase "answered, saying" (Greek: _apokrinomai_ and _legō_) implies a response to Jesus' recent discourse, particularly His condemnation of their spiritual blindness and blasphemy. The inclusion of "certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees" indicates that this was not a spontaneous individual outburst but a deliberate, perhaps concerted, challenge from representatives of the religious establishment. Their act of "answering" is not a humble inquiry but a confrontational demand.
* **"Master,"**: The term "Master" (Greek: _didáskalos_) means "teacher" or "instructor." While seemingly a respectful address, in this context, it carries an ironic or even disingenuous undertone. They acknowledge Jesus' role as a teacher, yet their subsequent demand demonstrates a profound lack of submission to His teaching or authority. They address Him with a title of respect while simultaneously attempting to dictate terms to Him, revealing their hypocrisy and underlying hostility.
* **"we would see a sign from thee."**: This is the core of their demand. The phrase "we would see" (Greek: _thélō_ and _eídō_) expresses a strong desire or will to perceive. They are not asking for a teaching or an explanation, but a visible, undeniable miraculous demonstration. The preposition "from thee" emphasizes that they expect Jesus Himself to perform this sign. This demand is not born of faith or a genuine desire to believe, but rather from a hardened heart that has already dismissed the numerous signs Jesus has already performed. They seek a sign on their own terms, likely a public, spectacular display, as a condition for belief, or more likely, as a trap.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Irony**, as the religious leaders, who should have been the first to recognize the Messiah through the signs He had already performed, are instead demanding further proof with a veiled intention to trap Him. They address Him as "Master," a title of respect, yet their request demonstrates a profound disrespect for His person and ministry. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between Jesus' consistent display of divine power and authority through His miracles and teachings, and the scribes' and Pharisees' persistent spiritual blindness and unbelief. Their demand for a "sign" highlights their **Hypocrisy**, as they ignore the abundant evidence already before them, choosing instead to test God rather than submit to Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The demand for a sign in Matthew 12:38 highlights a recurring tension throughout the Gospels: the human tendency to demand external, spectacular proof rather than embracing faith in the face of existing revelation. This encounter underscores that true faith is not contingent upon a continuous stream of miraculous displays, but rather on a heart open to God's self-disclosure, supremely in the person of Jesus Christ. The scribes and Pharisees, despite witnessing undeniable evidence of Jesus' divine power and authority, remained spiritually hardened, demonstrating that even the most compelling signs cannot compel belief in an unwilling heart. Their request reveals a desire to control the terms of divine revelation, rather than humbly submitting to it.

* [Matthew 16:1-4](/matthew/16-1-4 "Matthew 16:1-4 - Pharisees and Sadducees Demand a Sign")
* [John 4:48](/john/4-48 "John 4:48 - Jesus' Words on Signs and Wonders")
* [1 Corinthians 1:22-24](/1_corinthians/1-22-24 "1 Corinthians 1:22-24 - Jews Demand Signs, Greeks Seek Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 12:38 serves as a poignant mirror for our own spiritual inclinations. It challenges us to examine whether our faith is truly rooted in a humble acceptance of God's revealed truth, or if we, like the scribes and Pharisees, are constantly demanding further proof or specific experiences before we fully commit. God has already provided the ultimate sign in Jesus Christ – His life, teachings, miracles, and supremely, His resurrection. To demand more, or to dictate the terms of God's revelation, reveals a heart of unbelief rather than genuine seeking. This passage calls us to cultivate a spirit of receptivity, recognizing God's active presence and power in our lives and in the world through the lens of faith, rather than relying on a continuous string of extraordinary phenomena. It reminds us that spiritual discernment comes not from demanding signs, but from a yielded heart that embraces the truth already given.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like the scribes and Pharisees, be demanding specific "signs" from God before I fully trust or obey Him?**
* **How does my understanding of faith align with or diverge from the concept of needing constant external validation?**
* **What "signs" of God's presence and work have I perhaps overlooked or dismissed in my own life, similar to how the religious leaders ignored Jesus' miracles?**

### FAQ
**Why did the scribes and Pharisees demand a sign from Jesus when He had already performed many miracles?**

Answer: The scribes and Pharisees demanded a sign not out of genuine curiosity or a desire for belief, but from a position of hardened skepticism and hostility. They had already witnessed numerous miracles, including the recent healing of a blind and mute man demoniac ([Matthew 12:22-23](/matthew/12-22-23 "Matthew 12:22-23 - Jesus Heals a Blind and Mute Man")), yet they attributed Jesus' power to Beelzebub ([Matthew 12:24](/matthew/12-24 "Matthew 12:24 - The Pharisees' Blasphemous Accusation")). Their demand for a "sign" was likely an attempt to trap Jesus, forcing Him to perform a spectacular display on their terms, which they could then either dismiss, misinterpret, or use as a basis for accusation if He refused or "failed." It highlights their spiritual blindness and unwillingness to accept Him as the Messiah despite overwhelming evidence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 12:38, with its demand for a sign, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a spectacular display granted on human terms, but in Jesus' subsequent declaration of "the sign of the prophet Jonah" ([Matthew 12:39](/matthew/12-39 "Matthew 12:39 - The Sign of Jonah")). This refers directly to His death, burial, and resurrection, a three-day period mirroring Jonah's time in the belly of the great fish ([Matthew 12:40](/matthew/12-40 "Matthew 12:40 - Jonah's Sign as a Type of Christ")). While the scribes and Pharisees sought an immediate, visible authentication, Jesus pointed to the ultimate, saving sign that would be given to a "wicked and adulterous generation." This ultimate sign, the resurrection, became the cornerstone of the apostolic proclamation, powerfully demonstrating Jesus' victory over sin and death and His divine authority as the Son of God ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). The empty tomb and the resurrected Christ are the irrefutable evidence that validates all of Jesus' claims and offers salvation to all who believe, fulfilling the deepest spiritual need not through a demanded spectacle, but through the sacrificial love of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who rose again. This sign, unlike any other, transforms hearts and offers eternal life ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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

1 Corinthians 1:22

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

Mark 8:11

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

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.

Luke 11:16

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

John 2:18

Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

John 4:48

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

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.