Matthew 16:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’

NIV: He replied, 'When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,'

NASB: But He replied to them, 'When it is evening, you say, ‘ It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’

CSB: He replied, "When evening comes you say, 'It will be good weather because the sky is red.'

NLT: He replied, 'You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow;

KJV: He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

NKJV: He answered and said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘ It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’;

A group of Jewish religious leaders, composed of both Pharisees and Sadducees, have approached Jesus to ask for a sign from heaven. Their request implies a demand for supernatural evidence that He is truly the Messiah. In other words, they are asking Him to perform a miracle on demand to earn their belief. Matthew writes they are testing Jesus, likely trying to catch Him doing something they can use to discredit Him; they are not sincerely validating His authority.

This is not the first time some Pharisees have asked Jesus for a sign. Matthew records Jesus' response to the same request in chapter 12. There He said that a "evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign" (Matthew 12:39). In the following verses, though, Jesus points out that these men have already missed the signs they have been given (John 5:39–40).

He begins by showing these men are capable of distinguishing basic signs of the weather. These words parallel a common expression in English: "Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning; red sky at night, sailor's delight." Jesus' point is that common sense and experience lead to some obvious conclusions. One does not need excessive information to understand what's clearly happening. Jesus is not describing superstition or supernatural events, only the common patterns of clouds and storms observable by all people.

Those who can read such signs, and who have seen Jesus' other miracles, have no reason to need even more proof.

Matthew 16:1–4 describes Jesus' confrontation with a group of Pharisees and Sadducees asking for a sign from heaven—a miracle. He points out that they can read the signs of the weather, but stubbornly won't recognize the signs He has already performed. The demand for even more evidence, when so much is already provided, is the sign of a spiritually bankrupt approach. The only sign Jesus tells such people to expect is the sign of Jonah. This is a reference to His impending death, followed three days later by resurrection.

A group of Pharisees and Sadducees demand a miracle from Jesus, though He has already performed many. Jesus refuses and warns the disciples to beware of the teachings of these religious leaders. Jesus asks the disciples who the people say He is, as well as their own opinion. Peter says Jesus is the Christ, and is commended for that statement. Jesus begins to reveal that He must suffer and be killed before being raised on the third day. Peter's attempt to scold Jesus results in a devastating rebuke. Jesus then says all who would follow Him must take up crosses of self-denial.

Matthew 16 finds Jesus returned from the Gentile regions, only to be immediately confronted by another group of Jewish religious leaders. Yet again, these men prove they are insincere: no amount of evidence will ever be enough for them. After a dramatic discussion about Jesus' role as Messiah, Jesus indicates that those who would come after Him must take up their crosses and follow Him. His references to some seeing the Son of Man coming in His kingdom will be fulfilled at the beginning of chapter 17, in an event known as the transfiguration.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.