Matthew 12:38Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Is there anything more irrational, not in a blasphemous sense but in sheer madness, than this? Despite witnessing countless miracles, the Pharisees demand, as though none had ever occurred, "We seek a sign from You!" What motivates this request? It is merely an attempt to entrap Jesus once more. Having previously silenced them and restrained their boldness with His teachings, they resort to actions once again. Observing this, the evangelist emphasizes the word "then" once more. Then some of the teachers of the law posed their question, seeking a sign. When does this take place? At a moment when they ought to have humbled themselves in reverence, when they should have been overwhelmed with wonder, with nothing left to do but marvel and submit.

The evangelist expresses astonishment with the word "then," as they insisted on demanding a sign after being compelled by the miracles that occurred. They seek a sign from above, as noted by another evangelist. To them, the miraculous acts performed on earth appeared to be under the influence of the devil. After all, the devil reigns over this world. What, then, is the role of the Saviour?

Since they believed that the perfect signs came from demons, which only leave their mark on the earthly realm, they now questioned, “Bring forth by your power a sign from heaven.” The other Gospel writer explicitly recorded that they requested Him to perform a heavenly sign, which ought to emanate from divine authority. However, they made this request with the assumption that He lacked the ability to perform divine acts, blinded as they were in their understanding. After all, to heal the sight of the blind, to resurrect the deceased, and to command the winds and the sea can only be accomplished through divine power.

They seek a sign, as if the miracles they have already witnessed hold no significance. Another Gospel elaborates on their request: We wish to see from you a sign from heaven (Mk. 8:11). Perhaps they desired a spectacle similar to that of Elijah, where fire descended from above, or like the time of Samuel, when lightning flashed, thunder resounded, and rain fell heavily during the dry season, defying the natural order of their region. The Pharisees might also have deemed such signs as mere occurrences caused by unidentified atmospheric disturbances, for those who speak against the evident truths they witness and acknowledge, what might they claim about that which originates from heaven? Surely, you would argue that even the magicians in Egypt accomplished many miraculous signs (Ex. 7).

In a moment when they ought to have bowed in reverence, filled with awe, they chose instead to display their unashamed audacity. Those who once deemed Him possessed by demons have now, in their hypocrisy, labeled Him a teacher. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, they demand a sign—not with the intention of believing, but rather to put the Lord to shame. Unable to confront Him directly, since He has always effortlessly revealed their true nature, they resort to underhanded actions. Luke recounts that the skeptics, seeking to tempt Him, asked for signs from heaven. They assumed the earthly wonders He performed were mere tricks, believing that He could not possibly perform divine signs, as they did not recognize Him as God. In another instance, they asserted, “He is not this man from God.”

When Jesus delivered a man from demonic possession, some Jews present reviled Him, claiming, "He casts out demons by the authority of Beelzebub, the ruler of demons." Others, seeking to challenge Him, requested, "Teacher, we want to see a miracle from You." While their statements may seem distinct, they reflect a similar corruption of understanding. To associate the works of the Son of God with the devil is to blaspheme both the Son of God and the Holy Spirit. Likewise, to seek a demonstration of His divine nature is to offend Him. Requesting confirmation of His divinity implies a rejection of His words, suggesting He is not truthful about Himself, as He does not offer proof of His claims through miraculous signs.

When the Lord had exposed the deceit of the Pharisaic accusations that He expelled demons by the authority of the chief of demons, and had made evident the peril of their brazen blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, these hypocrites found themselves in a position where their only option seemed to be to lower their heads in humility and remain silent. Then, St. Matthew notes, as though taken aback by their shamelessness, some of the scribes and Pharisees inquired, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from You” (Luke 11:16). The acts of healing the sick and casting out demons did not suffice for them to accept Him as the Messiah because they believed both earth and sky were under the dominion of the chief of demons and his minions.

Luke provides a succinct portrayal of the words spoken by Jesus Christ during His healing of the demoniac, introducing the demand for a sign as a means to elucidate the significance of His statements (15-16). He then presents these statements in a continuous flow. Prior to Christ’s reply to the request for a sign, it is noted that a large crowd had begun to form around Him (29). The Jews sought a sign from heaven (Luke 16), asking for a miraculous occurrence, such as a solar eclipse. In response, Jesus emphasizes His resurrection. This request for a sign stemmed from skepticism that had remained unshaken by His miracles or teachings, prompting the Lord to address the lack of faith among His listeners.

The Pharisees requested a miraculous sign from Jesus, who had just concluded His explanation to the scribes and Pharisees. None of them had the courage to confront Him directly. Their silence could have been interpreted as a rejection of their malicious claim. However, rather than humbling themselves, they remained unrepentant and refused to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. Instead, they approached Him with a challenge, as if to suggest: If You drive out demons not by the authority of Beelzebub but by the power of God, then we seek a sign from You. Chapter 18

Some expressed disbelief, stating, despite numerous miraculous signs, the Pharisees behaved as if none had occurred. The Evangelist, astonished, highlights the moment with the word "then": at a time when they ought to have lowered their heads in reverence, at a time when they should have been overwhelmed with awe, and when the only appropriate response was to marvel and submit. To witness a sign signifies an extraordinary event, a miracle that attests to the divine origin of His mission. While the healing of the demon-possessed deaf-mute served as a powerful sign for all to see, the Pharisees stubbornly rejected it, attempting to ensnare the Lord with yet another challenge, thus testing Him (Luke 11:16).

Some scribes and Pharisees approached the Lord with the intention of testing Him, saying, ‘Teacher, we desire to witness a sign from You, specifically a sign from heaven,’ as noted by Luke the Evangelist (Luke 11:16). Through these words, they implied that the healings of those possessed by demons or afflicted by illness, including the blind and the mute, were of lesser significance. They suggested that it would be of greater importance if Christ could perform a miraculous sign from heaven, akin to Moses, who provided manna from the skies, Joshua, who commanded the sun to stand still, or Elijah, who called down rain and fire from above.