Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

MATTHEW 12:38KJV
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Matthew 12:38 (KJV)

What does Matthew 12:38 mean?

Matthew 12:38 describes a request for Jesus to give a sign. Certain scribes and Pharisees ask for something they can see as evidence of who Jesus is and the authority behind his work.

The scribes were trained in the Jewish law, and the Pharisees were members of a Jewish religious group. Their request follows a dispute in which Pharisees challenged Jesus after he healed a man. The words “from thee” make Jesus himself the source from whom they seek the sign.

The Greek behind Matthew 12:38

  • “Master” — διδάσκαλε (didaskale): This is a way of addressing a teacher. The word shows that the speakers address Jesus as someone who teaches, though the surrounding dispute gives their request a sharper setting.
  • “sign” — σημεῖον (sēmeion): This means a sign or indication. Here it carries the sense of an observable act that points beyond itself, rather than merely something unusual to watch.

Why Matthew 12:38 matters

  • The request comes after Jesus has already performed a striking healing. In Matthew 12:22–24, some Pharisees respond to that healing by accusing him of acting through an evil power. Their request for a sign follows that disagreement about the source of his power.
  • Jesus answers the request by pointing to “the sign of the prophet Jonas” in Matthew 12:39–40. That answer directs attention to Jonah’s three days inside a great fish and to Jesus’ own coming death and return, rather than to a new display on demand.
  • “Certain” limits who is speaking. Matthew identifies some scribes and Pharisees as making the request, not every member of either group.

Where else these words appear

“Master” Greek G1320 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
  • Mark 12:19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
  • Luke 22:11 And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

“scribes” Greek G1122 · used in 67 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Matthew 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
  • Mark 15:31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.

“sign” Greek G4592 · used in 69 verses

  • Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
  • 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.

“Pharisees” Greek G5330 · used in 95 verses

  • Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
  • Mark 2:24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?
  • Luke 16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.