Matthew 16:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

NIV: and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

NASB: And in the morning, ‘ There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but are you unable to discern the signs of the times?

CSB: And in the morning, 'Today will be stormy because the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to read the appearance of the sky, but you can't read the signs of the times.

NLT: red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times!

KJV: And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

NKJV: and in the morning, ‘ It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.

Some Pharisees and Sadducees had approached Jesus together to ask Him for a "sign from heaven." They want Him to perform some miraculous work to back up claims He was the Messiah. Since these two groups of religious leaders often opposed each other, it is a sign of their urgent concern about Jesus that they are cooperating to discredit Him.

Jesus has pointed out that some signs require nothing more than common sense to interpret. Basic weather is an example. These skeptics who claim they have not seen enough from Jesus can notice weather patterns in the sky to determine whether it will be fair or stormy. Jesus' words in verses two and three echo a common expression in English: "red sky in the morning, sailor take warning; red sky at night, sailor's delight." Typical patterns in nature lead to obvious general conclusions.

Despite their ability to recognize these weather patterns, the religious leaders have apparently not chosen to recognize the "signs of the times." They have witnessed Jesus' miraculous healings and casting out of demons (Matthew 12:13–14, 22). They have read the words of Isaiah (Isaiah 35:5–6; 61:1–2) and seen them come to life before their eyes. As Jesus described His work to John the Baptist, "the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them" (Matthew 11:5).

These men are not suffering from a lack of evidence. They are suffering from stubbornness. Their refusal (John 5:39–40) to recognize Jesus as Messiah is insincere, and it's why Jesus refuses to satisfy their request. He's not going to perform for them, on a whim, and when it won't matter, anyway.

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.