SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:38
¶ Entonces respondiendo algunos de los escribas y de los fariseos, diciendo: Maestro, deseamos ver de ti seal.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:38
Verse 38. We would see a sign from thee.] That is, we wish now to see thee work a miracle. Pride, vain curiosity, and incredulity, have never proof sufficient of the truth: for they will not be satisfied.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 38. Then certain of the Scribes and Pharisees answered , etc.] Not the same that charged him with casting out devils, by the prince of devils; but others, that were present, as appears from ( Luke 11:16) and who do not take upon them to make a proper reply to what he had said, or return an answer to that, but address him on another account; being willing to divert the discourse, and try what they could do with him in another, and more gentle and crafty way; saying, master, not fellow, magician, Samaritan, thou that hast a devil, and casts out devils by Beelzebub, and art a devil, and Beelzebub himself; but doctor, teacher, allowing him, at least, in a flattering way, that he was an instructor of mankind, though they would not own him to be a prophet, unless he would give such signs, as would make it appear he was one; hence they say, we would see a sign from thee : that is, a sign from heaven, as they desired at another time, ( Matthew 16:1) and, as Luke says, they did now, ( Luke 11:16) they had seen a sign from him on earth, in the cure of the man that had a withered hand; and another, in dispossessing the devil out of the man, that was blind and dumb; but these they looked upon rather as signs from hell, and done by confederacy with the devil; and therefore desire, or rather, in an imperious way, demand one from heaven, where they thought Satan had not such power, as on earth; and where there could not be such collusion and deception, as they wickedly imagined were in this last action: they seem to require some such things to be done, as were on Mount Sinai, at the giving of the law, when there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud, and the voice of a trumpet, and some visible appearances of the divine majesty; and intimate, that if something of this kind was done, if there was any visible and miraculous appearance in the heavens, produced by him, they should believe him to be the prophet that was spoken of, and the true Messiah; but if not, should give no credit to him: however, this is to be learned from hence, that the Jews, in Christs time, expected signs and wonders to be wrought by the Messiah, in proof of his being so, though now they reject them as needless f756 .
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 38-45 - Though Christ is always ready to hear and answer holy desires an prayers, yet those who ask amiss, ask and have not. Signs were grante to those who desired them to confirm their faith, as Abraham an Gideon; but denied to those who demanded them to excuse their unbelief The resurrection of Christ from the dead by his own power, called her the sign of the prophet Jonah, was the great proof of Christ's being the Messiah. As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale, an then came out again alive, thus Christ would be so long in the grave and then rise again. The Ninevites would shame the Jews for no repenting; the queen of Sheba, for not believing in Christ. And we have no such cares to hinder us, we come not to Christ upon suc uncertainties. This parable represents the case of the Jewish churc and nation. It is also applicable to all those who hear the word of God, and are in part reformed, but not truly converted. The unclea spirit leaves for a time, but when he returns, he finds Christ is no there to shut him out; the heart is swept by outward reformation, but garnished by preparation to comply with evil suggestions, and the ma becomes a more decided enemy of the truth. Every heart is the residenc of unclean spirits, except those which are temples of the Holy Ghost by faith in Christ.
Greek Textus Receptus
τοτε 5119 ADV απεκριθησαν 611 5662 V-ADI-3P τινες 5100 X-NPM των 3588 T-GPM γραμματεων 1122 N-GPM και 2532 CONJ φαρισαιων 5330 N-GPM λεγοντες 3004 5723 V-PAP-NPM διδασκαλε 1320 N-VSM θελομεν 2309 5719 V-PAI-1P απο 575 PREP σου 4675 P-2GS σημειον 4592 N-ASN ιδειν 1492 5629 V-2AAN
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:38 {A sign from thee} (apo sou semeion). One wonders at the audacity of scribes and Pharisees who accused Jesus of being in league with Satan and thus casting out demons who can turn round and blandly ask for a "sign from thee." As if the other miracles were not signs! "The demand was impudent, hypocritical, insulting" (Bruce).
