16:1
“A sign, a sign. Show us a sign!” seemed to be the perpetual cry of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Sceptics can seem to be doing the same sometimes in demanding proof. How much proof do you need? How many signs do you need? They were ever seeing but never perceiving (Is 6:9; Mark 4:12). It is interesting to note that the Pharisees and Sadducees were together here, normally they were sworn enemies.
16:2-4
Jesus castigates them for their blindness. With natural signs, meteorological ones in this case, they could read the signs. They could predict the sort of weather that was coming. However, with the signs of the kingdom they were utterly blind. They were blinded by sin, they were a “wicked and adulterous generation”. The only sign they would get would be that of Jonah. This refers to the resurrection, but also to comparing their reaction to that of the Ninevites who repented in response to the word alone. As well as all the miracles, they would have the resurrection, but the Pharisees and Sadducees failed to respond.
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