The Gospel of the Kingdom - Matthew - The Pharisees Challenge Again

 

TEXT: Matthew 16:1-4 –  “¹Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. ² He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; ³ and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. ⁴ A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He left them and departed."

We are entering Chapter 16 today. In this chapter, we will see that Jesus again refuses to give the Pharisees a sign to prove His divine identity. Also, we will see Him warn His disciples to beware of the Pharisees's false teachings. And end our study with Peter correctly identifying who Jesus is. This study will be over the next four days as we divide it up into palatable pieces.

Let’s get into this study now, as we first look at Jesus and His foes – the Pharisees again.

First, we find their demand in verse 1. As they always do, they seek to throw down a gauntlet to push Jesus into a corner. They seek to discredit Him in front of His followers. They will not accept Him, and in turn, they do not want others to do the same. In our world today there are people, groups, and organizations that seek to discredit the Bible and God. They refuse to accept Him and don’t want anyone else to either. So, this time as a challenge they insist that He prove Himself through some great sign from Heaven. They may have coached this is the form of if you do we will believe, however, Jesus knew they wouldn’t.

So, look at His denial in verses 2-4.

He starts by saying what they would not do (vs. 2,3). He answers their challenge with a summary of the past events – “How many previous signs had He already performed?” and He reminded them that they always refused to accept them. He strongly condemned them when He said – “Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.”

So, He goes on, in turn, telling them this is what He will not do (vs.4). They may ask, but He will not give them any more signs. He would not perform a miracle for them. He knew if He did one, they would seek to discredit it, and keep asking for more. He told them that the only sign they would see would be the sign of the Prophet Jonah. He is giving them foreknowledge and referring to His death, burial, and Resurrection! And we know that even then, they did not believe.

Are you seeking miracles from Jesus? Is it for a dire need, or are you also a seeker of wonders? Do you want to be entertained? Do you want to just keep seeing the spectacular? What is your desire for a “sign” from Jesus today?