1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. (Matthew 16:1-4 KJV)
The Pharisees and Sadducees Demand Signs
This passage describes Christ’s encounter with the Pharisees and Sadducees—groups often at odds with each other, as seen in Acts 23:7-8, yet united in their opposition to him. His teaching challenged both parties: the Sadducees, who denied the existence of spirits and life after death, and the Pharisees, who promoted the traditions of the elders with pride and hypocrisy. Christ and Christianity continue to face opposition from every direction.
The Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus for a sign from heaven, claiming they were open to being convinced. In truth, they were only looking for an excuse to remain in unbelief. They had already seen many miracles, each a clear sign—no one could do what Jesus did unless God was with him. Yet they dismissed these signs and demanded one of their own choosing, ignoring those that brought healing and comfort and asking instead for something that would appeal to their pride. Divine proofs are determined by God’s wisdom, not human demands.
The evidence already provided was enough for an honest heart, though not meant to entertain a shallow curiosity. It’s a mark of the heart’s deceit to claim we would believe under different circumstances while rejecting the clear truths we already have. As Jesus taught in Luke 16:31, if people won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.
They asked for a sign from heaven like the thunder and lightning at Mount Sinai, believing only such wonders could validate his message. But such terrifying signs didn’t fit the nature of the gospel, which is spiritual and comforting. Now the Word is brought near to us (Romans 10:8), and the miracles of Christ do not force people to keep a fearful distance as at Sinai (Hebrews 12:18).
Their real intention was not to learn but to trap Jesus. If he gave them a sign, they would accuse him of working with the devil. If he didn’t—just as they expected—they would use that to justify their unbelief. They were acting just as Israel had in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:9). Back then, even after seeing signs from heaven, the people still questioned whether God could provide for them. Now, despite Jesus feeding multitudes in the wilderness, they demanded yet another sign.
Jesus answered in a way that exposed their arrogance. He rebuked them for ignoring the signs already given (Matthew 16:2-3). While they were searching for signs of God’s kingdom, it was already among them. Just like their ancestors who experienced daily miracles yet still doubted God’s presence, they failed to recognize that the Lord was right there with them.
He pointed out that they could interpret the weather by looking at the sky: a red sky at night signals fair weather; in the morning, it predicts a storm. Nature has patterns, and people can make fairly accurate predictions from them. Though we don’t fully understand how clouds form (Job 37:16), we can sometimes tell what’s coming. But this ability doesn’t justify the nonsense of astrologers and star-gazers (Isaiah 47:13), who mislead the gullible. We can be sure the seasons will continue, but the details of each day’s weather are known only as they unfold. What God ordains should be enough for us—what pleases him should not displease us.
But when it came to spiritual matters, these leaders were blind. Jesus asked, “Can’t you discern the signs of the times?” The Messiah had come. The scepter had departed from Judah, and Daniel’s prophecy was nearly fulfilled—yet they didn’t see it. The miracles Jesus performed and the crowds that gathered around him were clear signs that God’s kingdom was near. Those who are wise and upright can recognize God’s work and respond to it, just as a doctor can diagnose illness from symptoms. Yet many who are capable in practical matters remain blind to spiritual truth and miss their moment of opportunity. It is hypocrisy to ignore the signs God has already provided while demanding new ones of our own choosing.
Jesus warned that by rejecting him, they were bringing destruction upon themselves. Many are ruined because they fail to understand the consequences of turning away from Christ.
Therefore, he refused to give them any other sign (Matthew 16:4), just as he had before (Matthew 12:39). Those who persist in sin should not expect a different response.
He called them an adulterous generation—people who claimed to belong to God while being unfaithful to him. The Pharisees saw themselves as pure, but their hearts were like the adulterous woman in Proverbs 30:20, who says she’s done nothing wrong.
Jesus would not grant their request. He does not allow himself to be dictated to; as James 4:3 teaches, we ask and don’t receive because we ask with wrong motives.
Instead, he pointed them to the sign of Jonah—his resurrection and the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles. These would be the final and greatest proofs of his divine mission. While the proud are not indulged, the faith of the humble is strengthened, and those who choose unbelief will be without excuse.
The conversation ended abruptly. Jesus left them and went away. He does not stay long with those who seek to argue and test him but rightly withdraws from those who refuse correction. He left them to themselves—to follow their own desires and stubborn hearts.