Bible Commentary

Matthew 16:1-4

Matthew 16:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain

The signs of the Messiah.

Coming into the borders of Magadan, after the miracles of the mountain in which he healed all manner of diseases, and miraculously feasted about eight thousand persons, Jesus encountered the Pharisees and Sadducees, who, sinking their sectarian differences for the time, agreed to tempt or test him by demanding a special sign of his Messiahship. Jesus declined to gratify them in this, appealing to the signs of the times which should be sufficient for them, and giving them himself a special sign. Let us consider, then—

I. THE SPECIAL SIGN WHICH THE PHARISEES SOUGHT.

1. They sought a sign from heaven.

2. They sought that sign too soon.

II. THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES TO WHICH JESUS APPEALED.

1. Those connected with his personal advent.

2. Those connected with ills public ministry.

III. THE SPECIAL SIGN WHICH JESUS GAVE.

1. He gave them a sign from the earth.

2. This sign best suited a wicked generation.

3. Jesus rested his claims upon this sign.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for Matthew 16:1-4

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew 16 — OverviewMatthew 16 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleNone of Christ's miracles are recorded in this chapter, but four of his discourses. Here is, I. A conference with the Pharisees, who challenged him to show them a sign from heaven, ver. 1-4. II. Another with his…Matthew 16 — OverviewMatthew 16 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeMatthew 16:1, The Pharisees require a sign; Matthew 16:5, Jesus warns his disciples of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees; Matthew 16:13, The people’s opinion of Christ, Matthew 16:16. and Peter’s confession of…Matthew 16:1-4Matthew 16:1-4 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe have here Christ's discourse with the Pharisees and Sadducees, men at variance among themselves, as appears Acts xxiii. 7, 8, and yet unanimous in their opposition to Christ; because his doctrine did equally…Matthew 16:1Matthew 16:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Pharisees also with the Saddueees; rather, and the Pharisees and Sadducees. The scribes and Pharisees are often mentioned together as watching or attacking Jesus; but this is the first time that we hear of Pharisees…Matthew 16:1-4Matthew 16:1-4 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Pharisees and Sadducees desire a sign. (Mark 8:11-13.)Matthew 16:1-12Matthew 16:1-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe visit to Galilee. I. THE LORD CROSSES THE LAKE TO THE WESTERN SHORE. 1. He dismisses the multitude. They went away quietly, it seems. There was no need now to constrain the disciples to depart first. The people…