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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 16:1-4

We have here Christ's discourse with the Pharisees and Sadducees, men at variance among themselves, as appears Acts 23:7, 8, and yet unanimous in their opposition to Christ; because his doctrine did equally overthrow the errors and heresies of the Sadducees, who denied the existence of spirits and a future state; and the pride, tyranny, and hypocrisy of the Pharisees, who were the great imposters of the traditions of the elders. Christ and Christianity meet with opposition on all hands.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 16:1-4

16:1-4 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to him, trying to put him to the test, and asked him to show them a sign from Heaven. He answered them: "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fine weather, because the sky is red.' And early in the morning you say, 'It will be stormy today, because the sky is red and threatening.' You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. An evil and apostate generation seeks for a sign. No sign will be given to it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 16:3

And in the morning, it will be foul weather today ,.... When you rise in the morning, and take a survey of the heavens, it is a very usual thing with you to say, it is like to be windy or rainy weather today, for the sky is red and lowring ; which shows, that the clouds are so thick that the sun cannot pierce through them, and its face is not seen; so that it may be reasonably concluded they will issue in rain, or wind, or both. O ye hypocrites . The Vulgate Latin, and Munster's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 16:4

A wicked and adulterous generation ,.... He says the same things here, as he did to the Pharisees on a like occasion, in Matthew 12:39 . And he left them ; as persons hardened, perverse, and incurable, and as unworthy to be conversed with: and departed : to the ship which brought him thither, and went in it to the other side of the sea of Galilee; see Mark 8:13 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:3

The sky is red and lowering - The signs of fair and foul weather were observed in a similar manner among the Romans, and indeed among most other people. Many treatises have been written on the subject: thus a poet: - Caeruleus pluviam denunciant, Igneus euros Sin Maculae incipient Rutilo immiscerier Igni, Omnia tunc pariter Vento Nimbisque videbis read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:4

Wicked and adulterous generation - The Jewish people are represented in the Sacred Writings as married to the Most High; but, like a disloyal wife, forsaking their true husband, and uniting themselves to Satan and sin. Seeketh after a sign, σημειον επιζητει , seeketh sign upon sign, or, still another sign. Our blessed Lord had already wrought miracles sufficient to demonstrate both his Divine mission and his divinity; only one was farther necessary to take away the scandal of his cross and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:3

Verse 3 3.Hypocrites, you can judge. He calls them hypocrites, because they pretend to ask that which, if it were exhibited to them, they are resolved not to observe. The same reproof applies nearly to the whole world; for men direct their ingenuity, and apply their senses, to immediate advantage; and therefore there is scarcely any man who is not sufficiently well qualified in this respect, or at least who is not tolerably acquainted with the means of gaining his object. How comes it then that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:4

Verse 4 Matthew 16:4.A wicked and adulterous nation. This passage was explained (426) under Matthew 12:38. The general meaning is, that the Jews are never satisfied with any signs, but are continually tickled by a wicked desire to tempt God. He does not call them an adulterous nation merely because they demand some kind of sign, (for the Lord sometimes permitted his people to do this,) but because they deliberately provoke God; and therefore he threatens that, after he has risen from the dead,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:1-4

The Pharisees and Sadducees desire a sign. ( Mark 8:11-13 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 16:1-4

The signs of the Messiah. Coming into the borders of Magadan, after the miracles of the mountain in which he healed all manner of diseases, and miraculously feasted about eight thousand persons, Jesus encountered the Pharisees and Sadducees, who, sinking their sectarian differences for the time, agreed to tempt or test him by demanding a special sign of his Messiahship. Jesus declined to gratify them in this, appealing to the signs of the times which should be sufficient for them, and giving... read more

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