Mat 16:1, 1Cor 1:22 | Barnes | STEP | MATTHEW CHAPTER 16 Verses 1-4. See also . The Pharisees also with the Saducees . . Tempting . That is, trying him --feigning a desire to see evidence that he was the Messiah, but with a real desire to see him make the attempt to work a miracle and fail, that they might betray and ruin him. A sign from heaven . Some miraculous appearance in the sky. Such appearances had been given by the prophets; and they supposed, if he was the Messiah, that his miracles would not all be confined to the earth , but that he was able to give some signal miracle from heaven. Samuel had caused it to thunder, . Isaiah had caused the shadow to go back ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz, and Moses had sent them manna from heaven, . It is proper to say, that though Christ did not choose then to show such wonders, yet far more stupendous signs from heaven than these were exhibited at his death. (c) "sign from heaven"

Matthew 16:1

MATTHEW CHAPTER 16

Verses 1-4. See also Mk 8:11,12. The Pharisees also with the Saducees. Mt 3:7.

Tempting. That is, trying him --feigning a desire to see evidence that he was the Messiah, but with a real desire to see him make the attempt to work a miracle and fail, that they might betray and ruin him.

A sign from heaven. Some miraculous appearance in the sky. Such appearances had been given by the prophets; and they supposed, if he was the Messiah, that his miracles would not all be confined to the earth, but that he was able to give some signal miracle from heaven. Samuel had caused it to thunder, 1Sam 12:16-18. Isaiah had caused the shadow to go back ten degrees on the dial of Ahaz, Isa 38:8 and Moses had sent them manna from heaven, Ex 16:4, Jn 6:31. It is proper to say, that though Christ did not choose then to show such wonders, yet far more stupendous signs from heaven than these were exhibited at his death.

1 Corinthians 1:22

Verse 22. For the Jews require a sign. A miracle, a prodigy, an evidence of Divine interposition' This was the characteristic of the Jewish people. God had manifested himself to them by miracles and wonders in a remarkable manner in past times, and they greatly prided themselves on that fact, and always demanded it when any new messenger came to them, professing to be sent from God. This propensity they often evinced in their intercourse with the Lord Jesus, Mt 12:38, 16:1; Mk 8:11, Lk 11:16, 12:54-56. Many MSS., instead of "sign" here in the singular, read signs in the plural; and Griesbach has introduced that reading into the text. The sense is nearly the same, and it means that it was a characteristic of the Jews to demand the constant exhibition of miracles and wonders; and it is also implied here, I think, by the reasoning of the apostle, that they believed that the communication of such signs to them as a people, would secure their salvation, and they therefore despised the simple preaching of a crucified Messiah. They expected a Messiah that should come with the exhibition of some stupendous signs and wonders from heaven, Mt 12:38, etc., as above; they looked for the displays of amazing power in his coming, and they anticipated that he would deliver them from their enemies by mere power; and they, therefore, were greatly offended 1Cor 1:23 by the simple doctrine of a crucified Messiah.

And the Greeks, etc. Perhaps this means the heathen in general, in opposition to the Jews. Rom 1:16. It was, however, peculiarly the characteristic of the Greek philosophers. They seek for schemes of philosophy and religion that shall depend on human wisdom, and they therefore despise the gospel.

(b) Mt 12:38