notes
Main point summary
The Jewish leaders test Jesus by demanding a sign from Heaven. In response, Jesus demonstrates their inability to discern the signs of the times and tells them they will receive no sign except the sign of Jonah. He then withdraws.
Arc
editing
NT
Matthew 16:1-4
nasb
a The b Pharisees and Sadducees came up,
and testing Jesus,
they c asked Him to show them a 1 sign from heaven.
series
But He replied to them,
“ 1 a When it is evening,
you say, ‘ It will be fair weather,
for the sky is red.’
ground
temporal
And in the morning,
‘ There will be a storm today,
for the sky is red and threatening.’
a Do you know how to discern the 1 appearance of the sky,
but cannot discern the signs of the times?
concessive
a An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a 1 sign;
and a 1 sign will not be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.”
negativepositive
ideaexplanation
situationresponse
And He left them and went away.
progression
Rhetorical question: You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times.
Again Jesus withdraws to avoid confrontation (Mt 4:12, Mt 12:15, Mt 14:13).
discourse
Phrase
Matthew 16:1-4
The Jewish Leaders Demand a Sign
The Pharisees and Sadducees came up,
and testing Jesus,
they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven.
But He replied to them,
“When it is evening,
you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’
And in the morning,
‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’
Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?
An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign;
and a sign will not be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.”
And He left them and went away.
phrasing