Mark 8:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

NIV: He sighed deeply and said, 'Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.'

NASB: Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, 'Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation!'

CSB: Sighing deeply in his spirit, he said, "Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation."

NLT: When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, 'Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.'

KJV: And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

NKJV: But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”

Jesus sighs deeply in indignation and grief. These scholars of the Law should have accepted the signs of fulfilled prophecies. But their hearts are hardened and their minds are not where God's is (Mark 8:33).

The word "generation" has many possible meanings and causes much discussion when studying the New Testament. It can mean a genealogical level, but here it means a specific ideology held in a place and time. This "generation" includes the scribes (Matthew 12:38), and may include a crowd (Luke 11:29), although we don't know if the crowd follows Jesus or the Pharisees.

"Truly" is from the Greek root word amen. Literally, it means "a truth," and serves to bring attention to His words, like saying, "Know this for certain…" In Hebrew culture, however, it may be oath language (Numbers 5:19–22). Jesus is swearing that the religious leaders, who would rather test Him with foolish demands instead of studying how He fulfills the Messianic prophecies in the Old Testament, will not receive another sign except the sign of Jonah (Matthew 16:4), which He had mentioned before (Matthew 12:38–40).

Jesus adds that it's easy enough to determine the weather from the evidences given in the sky (Matthew 16:2–3). At another point, He warns that the Queen of Sheba and the men of Nineveh will judge the Pharisees of Galilee for their foolishness (Matthew 12:41–42). Nineveh and the Queen responded to Jonah and Solomon while the Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, and Herodians ignore someone much greater.

Mark 8:11–13 continues after Jesus fed the five thousand outside of Bethsaida (Mark 6:30–44), then returned to Galilee and argued with the Pharisees over His authority over tradition (Mark 7:1–13). Now, after feeding four thousand in Decapolis, He returns to Galilee and argues with the Pharisees over whether they have the right to ask Him for a sign that His authority comes from God. In both cases, the Pharisees have all the evidence they need. They just refuse to see it. This may be the same event recorded in Matthew 16:1–4 and Luke 11:29–32, but it is unclear.

This chapter describes another miraculous feeding of thousands by Jesus. He also counters the hard-hearted and selfish hypocrisy of the Pharisees in seeking even more miraculous signs. Speaking to the disciples, Jesus rebukes their short memories and reminds them about God's intent to provide for His followers. After healing a blind man, Jesus accepts Peter's proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah. Almost immediately, though, Jesus rebukes Peter for resisting the idea that the Messiah must suffer and die.

Mark 8 continues Jesus' attempts to teach the disciples God's plan for the Messiah. Jesus has not come for the religious Pharisees but for the meek who willingly respond to Him. He has not yet come as the glorious and victorious champion of Israel, but to die for the whole world. And His followers must also be willing to sacrifice their lives. The chapter marks a turning point in Jesus' ministry as His miracles grow fewer and His teaching increases. Interestingly, Jesus also faces a repeat of the temptations He experienced in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11).

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.