The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side.
Apparently, the religious leaders questioned Jesus’ authority. They requested that Jesus show them a sign. It is not unusual that someone from the nation of Israel would request a sign. They were used to signs, as recorded throughout the entire Old Testament. However, in the OT they were warned about signs. In Deuteronomy they were warned about prophets who showed signs and then pointed them away from God. Jesus was not pointing them away from God. In fact Jesus was pointing them to God, with multiple signs. Notice the miraculous signs that Mark has already recorded. These signs should have been enough for the Pharisees:
1. Jesus healed an unclean spirit (Mark 1:21)
2. Jesus heals Mary (Mark 1:29-34)
3. Jesus cleanses the leper (Mark 1:40-45)
4. Jesus heals a paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)
5. Jesus heals a man with withered hand (Mark 3:1-6)
6. Jesus heals a man with a demon (Mark 5:1-20)
7. Jesus heals a woman and Jairus daughter (Mark 5:21-43)
8. Jesus feeds the five thousand (Mark 6:30-44)
9. Jesus walks on water (Mark 6:45-52)
10. Jesus heals the sick in Gennesaret (Mark 6:53-56)
11. Jesus feeds the four thousand ((Mark 8:1-10).
When asked if Jesus would show them a sign, He could have just said, “You want a sign? Really? I just showed you eleven!” The challenge, however, was that the Pharisees were asking for evil intentions. They were not asking for proof of His deity. They were asking out of disobedience to the signs Jesus has already done. He will give them the ultimate sign via the resurrection and they still won’t believe. Disobedience is often rooted in disbelief.
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