Matthew 12:38
Then certain of the scribes
and of the Pharisees answered, saying,
Master, we would see a sign from thee.
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Other translations
New International Version
Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
New Living Translation
One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.”
English Standard Version
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
Berean Study Bible
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
Berean Literal Bible
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from You.”
New King James Version
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
New American Standard Bible
NASB 1995
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
NASB 1977
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”
Amplified Bible
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign (attesting miracle) from You [proving that You are what You claim to be].”
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Then certain of the scribes
Upon hearing how plainly Christ admonished, and how severely he rebuked them, answered (Probably with a view to divert the discourse to another topic).
We would see a sign from thee
It was as if they had said, Otherwise we will not believe this doctrine.
Thus they insinuated that the ejection of devils was but a trifling miracle, which, for all he had said to the contrary, might be done by the help of devils, and that no signs of that kind, however numerous, should convince them.
For that they would not believe unless he would prove his mission by what is here called a sign, and in Luke 11:16, a sign from heaven, meaning, probably, some such celestial appearance as several of the ancient prophets gave; particularly Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and Elijah.
A sign
By a sign they mean something that might confirm unto them that he was sent of God; they expected that an extraordinary mission should be so confirmed.
John 6:33, What sign showest thou then, that we might see and believe thee? What dost thou work?
Moses showed them signs, (as they there go on), he brought down for them bread from heavens.
Had not Christ showed them signs enough?
What were all the miracles he had wrought in their sight?
They either speak this out of a further idle curiosity, (their eye being not satisfied with seeing), or else they speak it in direct opposition to the whole scope and tendency of our Saviour’s former discourse, which was from his miracles to prove himself truly God, and sent of God.
If the latter, which seemeth from our Saviour’s sharp answer most probable, the sum of what they say is this, Master, we have seen thee do wonderful works, but no other than what impostors may do by the assistance of the devil; we would see something done by thee which magicians cannot do, such as Moses did (Exodus 8:19) when the magicians confessed they were outdone, and cried, “This is the finger of God.”
Greek
Then ☆ Τότε (Tote) ☆ Adverb ☆ Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.
Some ☆ τινες (tines) ☆ Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun – Nominative Masculine Plural ☆ Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.
Of the ☆ τῶν (tōn) ☆ Article – Genitive Masculine Plural ☆ The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
Scribes ☆ γραμματέων (grammateōn) ☆ Noun – Genitive Masculine Plural ☆ From gramma. A writer, i.e. scribe or secretary.
And ☆ καὶ (kai) ☆ Conjunction ☆ And, even, also, namely.
Pharisees ☆ Φαρισαίων (Pharisaiōn) ☆ Noun – Genitive Masculine Plural ☆ Of Hebrew origin; a separatist, i.e. Exclusively religious; a Pharisean, i.e. Jewish sectary.
Said to Him ☆ ἀπεκρίθησαν (apekrithēsan) ☆ Verb – Aorist Indicative Passive – 3rd Person Plural ☆ From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.
αὐτῷ (autō) ☆ Personal / Possessive Pronoun – Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular ☆ He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
λέγοντες (legontes) ☆ Verb – Present Participle Active – Nominative Masculine Plural ☆ (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.
Teacher ☆ Διδάσκαλε (Didaskale) ☆ Noun – Vocative Masculine Singular ☆ A teacher, master. From didasko; an instructor.
We want ☆ θέλομεν (thelomen) ☆ Verb – Present Indicative Active – 1st Person Plural ☆ To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.
To see ☆ ἰδεῖν (idein) ☆ Verb – Aorist Infinitive Active ☆ Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.
A sign ☆ σημεῖον (sēmeion) ☆ Noun – Accusative Neuter Singular ☆ Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.
From ☆ ἀπὸ (apo) ☆ Preposition ☆ From, away from. A primary particle; ‘off, ‘ i.e. Away, in various senses.
You ☆ σοῦ (sou) ☆ Personal / Possessive Pronoun – Genitive 2nd Person Singular ☆ You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.
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