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href="/bsb/matthew/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/16.htm">New International Version</a> The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/nlt/matthew/16.htm">New Living Translation</a> One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. <a href="/esv/matthew/16.htm">English Standard Version</a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/bsb/matthew/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/blb/matthew/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees having approached testing Him, asked Him to show them a sign out of heaven. <a href="/kjv/matthew/16.htm">King James Bible</a> The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/16.htm">New King James Version</a> Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and putting Jesus to the test, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/nasb/matthew/16.htm">NASB 1995</a> The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Him asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/lsb/matthew/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/amp/matthew/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus [to get something to use against Him], they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven [which would support His divine authority]. <a href="/csb/matthew/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The Pharisees and Sadducees approached, and tested him, asking him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The Pharisees and Sadducees approached, and as a test, asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/asv/matthew/16.htm">American Standard Version</a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and trying him asked him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/cev/matthew/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tried to test him by asking for a sign from heaven. <a href="/erv/matthew/16.htm">English Revised Version</a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and tempting him asked him to shew them a sign from heaven. <a href="/gwt/matthew/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus. So they asked him to show them a miraculous sign from heaven. <a href="/gnt/matthew/16.htm">Good News Translation</a> Some Pharisees and Sadducees who came to Jesus wanted to trap him, so they asked him to perform a miracle for them, to show that God approved of him. <a href="/isv/matthew/16.htm">International Standard Version</a> When the Pharisees and Sadducees arrived, in order to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/msb/matthew/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/net/matthew/16.htm">NET Bible</a> Now when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/nheb/matthew/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/wbt/matthew/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> The Pharisees also and the Sadducees came, and, tempting, desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/wey/matthew/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Him; and, to make trial of Him, they asked Him to show them a sign in the sky. <a href="/web/matthew/16.htm">World English Bible</a> The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees having come, tempting, questioned Him, to show to them a sign from Heaven, <a href="/blb/matthew/16.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees having approached testing Him, asked Him to show them a sign out of heaven. <a href="/ylt/matthew/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees having come, tempting, did question him, to shew to them a sign from the heaven, <a href="/slt/matthew/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees having come, tempting, asked him to shew them a sign from heaven.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> AND there came to him the Pharisees and Sadduccees tempting: and they asked him to shew them a sign from heaven. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Pharisees and Sadducees approached him to test him, and they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/nabre/matthew/16.htm">New American Bible</a> The Pharisees and Sadducees came and, to test him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> AND the Pharisees and Sadducees came up to him to tempt him; and they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/16.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And the Pharisees and the Sadducees approached, testing him and asking him to show them a sign from Heaven.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/16.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees came to tempt him, and asked him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/godbey/matthew/16.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees having come to Him, tempting Him, asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. <a href="/haweis/matthew/16.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> AND the Pharisees and the Sadducees came to him, and, to make trial of him, desired him to shew them a sign from heaven. <a href="/mace/matthew/16.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Then the Pharisees and the Sadducees came, with a captious design, and desired him to show them some miracle in the sky. <a href="/wey/matthew/16.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Him; and, to make trial of Him, they asked Him to show them a sign in the sky. <a href="/worrell/matthew/16.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And the Pharisees and Sadducees, coming near, tempting Him, asked Him to show them a sign from the heaven; <a href="/worsley/matthew/16.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And the pharisees and sadducees came to Him, and captiously asked Him to shew them a sign from heaven. <a href="/parallel/matthew/16-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=4537" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/16.htm">The Demand for a Sign</a> 1<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">Then</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5330.htm" title="5330: Pharisaioi (N-NMP) -- Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.">Pharisees</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4523.htm" title="4523: Saddoukaioi (N-NMP) -- Probably from Sadok; a Sadducaean, or follower of a certain heretical Israelite.">Sadducees</a> <a href="/greek/4334.htm" title="4334: proselthontes (V-APA-NMP) -- From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to.">came</a> <a href="/greek/3985.htm" title="3985: peirazontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.">and tested Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/1905.htm" title="1905: epērōtēsan (V-AIA-3P) -- To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.">by asking</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auton (PPro-AM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him</a> <a href="/greek/1925.htm" title="1925: epideixai (V-ANA) -- To show, display, point out, indicate; I prove, demonstrate. From epi and deiknuo; to exhibit.">to show</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/4592.htm" title="4592: sēmeion (N-ANS) -- Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.">a sign</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">from</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3772.htm" title="3772: ouranou (N-GMS) -- Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.">heaven.</a> 2But He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/8-11.htm">Mark 8:11-12</a> Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, testing Him by demanding from Him a sign from heaven. / 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.” <a href="/luke/11-29.htm">Luke 11:29-30</a> 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. / For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation. <a href="/luke/12-54.htm">Luke 12:54-56</a> Then Jesus said to the crowds, “As soon as you see a cloud rising in the west, you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and that is what happens. / And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It will be hot,’ and it is. / You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. Why don’t you know how to interpret the present time? <a href="/john/6-30.htm">John 6:30-31</a> So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do? / Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” <a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">Matthew 12:38-40</a> Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” / Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. / For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm">1 Corinthians 1:22</a> Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, <a href="/john/4-48.htm">John 4:48</a> Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” <a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">Matthew 21:23</a> When Jesus returned to the temple courts and began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him. “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You this authority?” <a href="/mark/11-27.htm">Mark 11:27-28</a> After their return to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in the temple courts, and the chief priests, scribes, and elders came up to Him. / “By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave You the authority to do them?” <a href="/luke/20-1.htm">Luke 20:1-2</a> One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and scribes, together with the elders, came up to Him. / “Tell us,” they said, “by what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” <a href="/exodus/7-9.htm">Exodus 7:9-10</a> “When Pharaoh tells you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ you are to say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh,’ and it will become a serpent.” / So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD had commanded. Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent. <a href="/deuteronomy/13-1.htm">Deuteronomy 13:1-3</a> If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. <a href="/1_kings/13-3.htm">1 Kings 13:3-5</a> That day the man of God gave a sign, saying, “The LORD has spoken this sign: ‘Surely the altar will be split apart, and the ashes upon it will be poured out.’” / Now when King Jeroboam, who was at the altar in Bethel, heard the word that the man of God had cried out against it, he stretched out his hand and said, “Seize him!” But the hand he stretched out toward him withered, so that he could not pull it back. / And the altar was split apart, and the ashes poured out, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. <a href="/isaiah/7-11.htm">Isaiah 7:11-14</a> “Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” / Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? ... <a href="/isaiah/38-7.htm">Isaiah 38:7-8</a> This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: / I will make the sun’s shadow that falls on the stairway of Ahaz go back ten steps.’” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had descended.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven.Pharisees.<a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Matthew 5:20</a> For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.<a href="/matthew/9-11.htm">Matthew 9:11</a> And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?<a href="/matthew/12-14.htm">Matthew 12:14</a> Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.Sadducees.<a href="/matthew/16-6.htm">Matthew 16:6,11</a> Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees… <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Matthew 3:7,8</a> But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? … <a href="/matthew/22-23.htm">Matthew 22:23</a> The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,tempting.<a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">Matthew 19:3</a> The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?<a href="/matthew/22-18.htm">Matthew 22:18,35</a> But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? … <a href="/mark/10-2.htm">Mark 10:2</a> And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.a sign.<a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">Matthew 12:38,39</a> Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee… <a href="/mark/8-11.htm">Mark 8:11-13</a> And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him… <a href="/luke/11-16.htm">Luke 11:16,29,30</a> And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/13-17.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/matthew/15-13.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/matthew/15-39.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/15-12.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/matthew/12-10.htm">Question</a> <a href="/matthew/15-28.htm">Request</a> <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Sadducees</a> <a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Sad'ducees</a> <a href="/matthew/14-2.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/matthew/14-2.htm">Show</a> <a href="/matthew/12-39.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/matthew/8-20.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/james/1-13.htm">Tempting</a> <a href="/matthew/6-13.htm">Test</a> <a href="/matthew/4-1.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/malachi/3-3.htm">Testing</a> <a href="/matthew/10-18.htm">Trial</a> <a href="/matthew/2-20.htm">Trying</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/21-31.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/matthew/16-2.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/matthew/16-4.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/16-6.htm">Pharisees</a> <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Question</a> <a href="/matthew/18-19.htm">Request</a> <a href="/matthew/16-6.htm">Sadducees</a> <a href="/matthew/16-6.htm">Sad'ducees</a> <a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Show</a> <a href="/matthew/16-4.htm">Sign</a> <a href="/matthew/16-2.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">Tempting</a> <a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">Test</a> <a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">Testing</a> <a href="/matthew/22-18.htm">Trial</a> <a href="/matthew/19-3.htm">Trying</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 16</div>1. <a href="/matthew/16-1.htm">The Pharisees require a sign.</a> 5. <a href="/matthew/16-5.htm">Jesus warns his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/16-13.htm">The people's opinion of Jesus,</a> 16. <a href="/matthew/16-16.htm">and Peter's confession of him.</a> 21. <a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Jesus foretells his death;</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/16-23.htm">reproves Peter for dissuading him from it;</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">and admonishes those who will follow him, to bear the cross.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came The Pharisees and Sadducees were two prominent Jewish sects during the time of Jesus. The Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions, while the Sadducees were more aristocratic, often associated with the priestly class, and denied certain doctrines like the resurrection. Despite their theological differences, they united in opposition to Jesus, highlighting the threat He posed to their authority and influence. This collaboration underscores the growing tension between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders.and tested Jesus The act of testing Jesus indicates a deliberate attempt to challenge His authority and discredit Him. This was not a genuine inquiry but a strategic move to trap Him. Throughout the Gospels, the religious leaders frequently tested Jesus, often with questions about the Law or His teachings, to find grounds for accusation. This reflects their hardened hearts and unwillingness to accept His messianic claims.by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven A sign from heaven would be a miraculous event that unmistakably demonstrated divine approval. The request for a heavenly sign suggests skepticism about the miracles Jesus had already performed, which they may have dismissed as earthly or even demonic. In Jewish tradition, signs from heaven were associated with divine intervention, as seen in the stories of Elijah and Moses. This demand for a sign reveals their spiritual blindness and refusal to recognize the signs already given, such as Jesus' fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and His authoritative teaching.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A religious and political group in Judaism known for strict adherence to the Law and traditions. They often clashed with Jesus over interpretations of the Law and His teachings. 2. <a href="/topical/s/sadducees.htm">Sadducees</a> Another Jewish sect, often in opposition to the Pharisees, known for their denial of the resurrection and emphasis on the written Law over oral traditions. They were typically from the priestly and aristocratic classes. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> Central figure of the New Testament, the Messiah, who is being tested by the religious leaders in this passage. 4. <a href="/topical/t/testing.htm">Testing</a> The act of challenging or questioning Jesus to prove His authority and divine nature by performing a miraculous sign. 5. <a href="/topical/s/sign_from_heaven.htm">Sign from Heaven</a> A miraculous event or wonder that the Pharisees and Sadducees demanded as proof of Jesus' divine authority.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_faith.htm">The Nature of Faith</a> True faith does not demand signs but trusts in God's revealed Word and character. The Pharisees and Sadducees' request for a sign reveals their lack of genuine faith. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_discernment.htm">Spiritual Discernment</a> Believers are called to discern the times and recognize God's work without demanding miraculous proofs. Spiritual maturity involves seeing God's hand in everyday life. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_testing_god.htm">The Danger of Testing God</a> Testing God by demanding signs can indicate a hardened heart. Believers should approach God with humility and trust rather than skepticism. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_opposition.htm">Unity in Opposition</a> The Pharisees and Sadducees, despite their differences, united in opposition to Jesus. This serves as a reminder that opposition to truth can come from unexpected alliances. <a href="/topical/t/the_sufficiency_of_scripture.htm">The Sufficiency of Scripture</a> Jesus often pointed back to Scripture rather than performing signs on demand. Believers should find assurance and guidance in God's Word rather than seeking extraordinary signs.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XVI.(1) The Pharisees also with the Sadducees.--The presence of members of the latter sect, who do not elsewhere appear in our Lord's Galilean ministry, is noticeable. It is probably explained by St. Mark's version of the warning in <a href="/matthew/16-6.htm" title="Then Jesus said to them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.">Matthew 16:6</a>, where "the leaven of Herod" appears as equivalent to "the leaven of the Sadducees" in St. Matthew's report. The Herodians were the Galilean Sadducees, and the union of the two hostile parties was the continuation of the alliance which had begun after our Lord's protest against the false reverence for the Sabbath, which was common to both the parties (<a href="/mark/3-6.htm" title="And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.">Mark 3:6</a>).That he would shew them a sign from heaven.--The signs and wonders that had been wrought on earth were not enough for the questioners. There might be collusion, or a power, like that implied in the charge of "casting out devils by Beelzebub," preternatural, but not divine. What they asked was a sign like Samuel's thunder from the clear blue sky (<a href="/1_samuel/12-18.htm" title="So Samuel called to the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.">1Samuel 12:18</a>), or Elijah's fire from heaven (<a href="/1_kings/18-38.htm" title="Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.">1Kings 18:38</a>); or, possibly, following the train of thought suggested by the discourse at Capernaum, now definitely asking, what they hinted then (<a href="/context/john/6-30.htm" title="They said therefore to him, What sign show you then, that we may see, and believe you? what do you work?">John 6:30-31</a>), for bread, not multiplied on earth, but coming straight from heaven. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-4. - The Pharisees and Sadducees desire a sign. (<a href="/mark/8-11.htm">Mark 8:11-13</a>.) Verse 1. - The Pharisees also with the Saddueees; rather, and the Pharisees and Sadducees. The scribes and Pharisees are often mentioned together as watching or attacking Jesus; but this is the first time that we hear of Pharisees combining with Sadducees for this purpose. The two sects were directly opposed to each other, the traditional belief of the former being antagonistic to the scepticism and materialism of the latter. But both were hostile to Christ, whose teaching, on the one hand interfered with rabbinism, and on the other maintained the existence of the supernatural and the certainty of the resurrection. The Sadducees alone seem to have attacked Christ only on two occasions. They were probably Herodians (comp. <a href="/matthew/22-16.htm">Matthew 22:16</a>), and on this account also disliked by the Pharisees; but they were powerful, and held most of the highest offices in the state, and their alliance was sought or allowed in order more effectually to compromise Jesus. Even theological hatred and political opposition sank into indifference in the face of what was regarded as a common danger. Strauss and his school regard this combination as so unnatural that they throw discredit on the whole account. This is shallow criticism. Nothing is more common than for persons opposed on all other subjects to coalesce for an unholy purpose in which they are jointly interested. The most violent political opponents will join forces in order to gain some desired point, and. when an attack on the Church is meditated, even unbelievers are gladly welcomed. Tertullian says forcibly, "Christ is always being crucified between two thieves." Tempting. Trying him with captious questions, to bring him into a difficulty, or to give them an opportunity of accusing him of heterodoxy, or disloyalty, or insubordination, and of discrediting him with the people. A sign from heaven. The rabbis held that demons and. false gods could perform certain miracles on earth, but God alone could give signs from heaven, such as, e.g., the manna of Moses' time, the staying of the sun and moon by Joshua, the lightning and thunder that came at Samuel's word, the stroke of death on the captains who tried to arrest Elijah. They had heard of the miraculous meal just before, and saw how deeply the people were moved by it, and they would imply that such a miracle was no proof of a Divine mission, as it might have been wrought by magical or Satanic agency. Let Christ give a sign from heaven, and they would acknowledge his claims. They knew what Christ's answer would be, as they had already attacked him with the same demand (<a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">Matthew 12:38</a>); and they hoped that he would either refuse to gratify them, as before, or else make an attempt and fail. In either case they thought they might turn the circumstance to his disadvantage. The Sadducees joined in the request, because they disbelieved in all such occurrences, and were fully persuaded that they were impossible, and any one who attempted to produce them must prove himself a miserable impostor. The word translated desired. (ἐπηρώτησαν) is emphatic; the verb is used classically in the sense of "to put a question for decision;" so the interrogation here would signify that this was to be a final test of the claims of Christ; on his answer depended their adhesion or opposition (comp. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-22.htm">1 Corinthians 1:22</a>). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/16-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Then Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Pharisees Φαρισαῖοι (Pharisaioi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5330.htm">Strong's 5330: </a> Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. Sadducees Σαδδουκαῖοι (Saddoukaioi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4523.htm">Strong's 4523: </a> Probably from Sadok; a Sadducaean, or follower of a certain heretical Israelite. came προσελθόντες (proselthontes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4334.htm">Strong's 4334: </a> From pros and erchomai; to approach, i.e. come near, visit, or worship, assent to. [and] tested [Jesus] πειράζοντες (peirazontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3985.htm">Strong's 3985: </a> To try, tempt, test. From peira; to test, i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline. by asking ἐπηρώτησαν (epērōtēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1905.htm">Strong's 1905: </a> To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek. Him αὐτὸν (auton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. to show ἐπιδεῖξαι (epideixai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1925.htm">Strong's 1925: </a> To show, display, point out, indicate; I prove, demonstrate. From epi and deiknuo; to exhibit. them αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. a sign σημεῖον (sēmeion) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4592.htm">Strong's 4592: </a> Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. heaven. οὐρανοῦ (ouranou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/16-1.htm">Matthew 16:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/16-1.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came and testing (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/15-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 15:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 15:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/16-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 16:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 16:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>