What does Mark 8:10-13 mean?

¹⁰ And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. ¹¹ And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. ¹² And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. ¹³ And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side. (Mark 8:10-13 KJV)

The Pharisees Demand a Sign

Still, Christ is on the move; now he visits the parts of Dalmanutha, so that no part of the land of Israel could say they had not experienced his presence. He came there by ship (Mark 8:10), but finding only disputes and not opportunities for doing good, he entered into the ship again (Mark 8:13) and came back.

We are told how he refused to gratify the Pharisees, who demanded a sign from heaven. They came to question him, not to learn from him, but to test him, hoping to ensnare him.

They demanded a sign from heaven, as if the signs he gave on earth, which were more familiar and could be examined, were not enough. There was a sign from heaven at his baptism—the descent of the dove and the voice (Matthew 3:16-17); it was public enough, and if they had attended John’s baptism as they should have, they might have seen it themselves. Later, when he was nailed to the cross, they demanded another sign: “Let him come down from the cross, and we will believe him.” Obstinate unbelief will always have something to say, no matter how unreasonable. They asked for this sign to test him, not because they hoped he would give it, but because they hoped he wouldn’t, so they could justify their unbelief.

He denied them their request. He sighed deeply in his spirit (Mark 8:12), grieved by the hardness of their hearts and how little impact his preaching and miracles had on them. The unbelief of those who have long had the means of conviction is a great grief to Jesus. It troubles him that sinners should block their own way to salvation.

He asked them, “Why does this generation seek a sign?—this generation, so unworthy to receive the gospel, so eager to accept the traditions of the elders without any confirming sign, this generation which, by calculating the times foretold in the Old Testament, should easily see that the coming of the Messiah has arrived, and which has already had so many clear and merciful signs through the healing of the sick. What an absurd thing it is for them to demand a sign!”

Then he flatly refused their request: “Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” When God spoke to individuals in special cases, like Gideon or Ahaz, they were encouraged to ask for a sign. But when God speaks to all through the law and the gospel—each with their own evidence—it is arrogance to demand other signs than those he has provided. If they will not be convinced, they shall not be; let them believe their delusions.

Mark Chapter 8

1. Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand, Mark 8:1-9
2. The Pharisees Demand a Sign, Mark 8:10-13
3. The Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, Mark 8:14-21
4. Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida, Mark 8:22-26
5. Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ, Mark 8:27-30
6. Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection, Mark 8:31-33
7. Self-denial to follow Jesus, Mark 8:34-38