SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Passage: Matthew 16:1-4

Key verse: 3b

NIV

The Demand for a Sign(A)

16 The Pharisees and Sadducees(B) came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.(C)

2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.[a](D) 4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.”(E) Jesus then left them and went away.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Matthew 16:3 Some early manuscripts do not have When evening comes … of the times.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Pharisees and Sadducees Demand Signs

16 (A)And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and (B)to test him (C)they asked him to show them (D)a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them,[a] (E)“When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ (F)You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret (G)the signs of the times. 4 (H)An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So (I)he left them and departed.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Matthew 16:2 Some manuscripts omit the following words to the end of verse 3
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Weather signs (1-3)

The Pharisees who came to Jesus seeking a sign had no spiritual insight.They had seen many signs of his Messiahship, but they did not believe. They could look at the sky and make predictions about the weather. But they rejected the obvious spiritual signs and refused to believe in Jesus. They were selfish and did not want to make a commitment.

2. The sign of Jonah (4)

Jesus described his times as 'wicked and adulterous.' Wickedness is godlessness. Adultery is unfaithfulness. Adulterous people live by feelings, not by truth. Spiritual adultery is unfaithfulness to God. Sign-seeking, with no intention of making a commitment, reveals an unfaithful heart. The 'sign of Jonah' looks forward to Jesus' death and resurrection and calls people to repent (Jonah 3; Mt 12:39-41).

Prayer: Lord, give me a faithful and repentant heart and spiritual insight. Help me to live by gospel faith.

One Word: The sign of Jonah