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.

MARK 8:12KJV
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Mark 8:12 (KJV)

What does Mark 8:12 mean?

Mark 8:12 shows Jesus rejecting a demand for a sign. His deep sigh and his question express his response to people who want a sign as proof, and his final words firmly refuse to give one to that generation.

The people addressing Jesus are Pharisees, a Jewish religious group, who have just asked him for a sign from heaven to test him (verse 11). His sigh “in his spirit” pictures a response felt deep within him, while “this generation” points to the people making the demand and those they represent.

The Greek behind Mark 8:12

  • “sighed deeply” — ἀναστενάζω (anastenazō): The word carries the sense of a deep or intense sigh. The expression makes Jesus’ inward response noticeable before he speaks.
  • “sign” — σημεῖον (sēmeion): This word can mean a sign that points to something beyond itself. Here the Pharisees ask for a sign from heaven, seeking something they would recognize as proof.
  • “verily” — ἀμήν (amēn): This word means “truly” or “surely.” Jesus uses it to give special weight to the statement that follows.

Why Mark 8:12 matters

  • The requested sign is part of a test, not merely a request for information. Mark says the Pharisees were “tempting him,” or testing him, when they asked (verse 11).
  • Jesus’ refusal answers a particular demand in the passage. Mark has already described Jesus feeding a large crowd shortly before this encounter (verses 1–9), yet the Pharisees ask for a sign from heaven.
  • The refusal brings the encounter to an end. In verse 13, Jesus leaves the Pharisees, gets back into the boat, and crosses to the other side.

Where else these words appear

“doth” Greek G1934 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
  • Luke 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
  • Romans 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

“generation” Greek G1074 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
  • Mark 13:30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
  • Luke 17:25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.

“sign” Greek G4592 · used in 69 verses

  • Matthew 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
  • Luke 23:8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
  • Acts 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

“this” Greek G5026 · used in 119 verses

  • Matthew 10:23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
  • Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
  • Acts 23:13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.