Mat 16:1-3 | 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 16:1-3

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.

(c) "sign from heaven" Mt 12:38, Mk 8:11, Lk 11:16, 12:54-56, 1Cor 1:22 Verses 2,3. He answered, etc. The meaning of this answer is, There are certain indications by which you judge about the weather. In the evening you think you can predict the weather tomorrow. You have evidence in the redness of the sky by which you judge. So there are sufficient indications on which you should judge concerning me and these times. My miracles, and the state of affairs in Judea, are an indication by which you should judge of these times.

Is red. Almost all nations have observed this as an indication of the weather.

In the morning--the sky is red and lowering. That is, there are threatening clouds in the sky, which are made red by the rays of the rising sun. This, in Judea, was a sign of a tempest. In other places, however, the signs of a storm may be different.

The face of the sky. The appearance of the sky. Verse 3. Mt 16:2