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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 16:1

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came , &c.; Not from Jerusalem, as in Matthew 15:1 but from the neighbouring places: these were Galilean Sadducees and Pharisees, of whom mention is made in the Misna F23 Yadaim, c. 4. sect. 8. ; "says צדוקי גלילי , "a Galilean Sadducee", (i.e. one that was of the land of Galilee, as Bartenora on the place observes,) I complain of you Pharisees, because ye write the name of a ruler with the name of Moses, in a divorce; say the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 16:2

He answered and said unto them ,.... Knowing full well their views, and having wrought sufficient miracles to confirm his Messiahship, he thought fit to give them no other answer than this: when it is evening, ye say, it will be fair weather, for the sky is red ; when the sun is setting, it is a common thing for you to say, looking up to the heavens, and observing the face and colour of them, that it is like to be fair weather; no rain, that night, nor perhaps the next day, for the sky... 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 16:1

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees - Though a short account of these has been already given in a note on Matthew 3:7 , yet, as one more detailed may be judged necessary, I think it proper to introduce it in this place. The Pharisees were the most considerable sect among the Jews, for they had not only the scribes, and all the learned men of the law of their party, but they also drew after them the bulk of the people. When this sect arose is uncertain. Josephus, Antiq. lib. v. c. xiii.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 16:2

When it is evening - There are certain signs of fair and foul weather, which ye are in the constant habit of observing, and which do not fail. - The signs of the times: the doctrine which I preach, and the miracles which I work among you, are as sure signs that the day-spring from on high has visited you for your salvation; but if ye refute to hear, and continue in darkness, the red and gloomy cloud of vindictive justice shall pour out such a storm of wrath upon you as shalt sweep you from... 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

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