Daily Bible Reading 17 October 2023

Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 16, Mark 8, Luke 9:1-10,21

Mark 8:11-12 (NKJV) Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. 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.”

8:11. The religious authorities (cf. 3:22-30; 7:1-5) came and began to question (syzētein, “to dispute, debate”) Him. They wished to test (from peirazō; cf. 1:13; 10:2; 12:15) Him, to get Him to prove the source of His authority (cf. 3:22-30; 11:30; Deut. 13:2-5; 18:18-22). They were seeking (from zēteō; cf. Mark 11:18; 12:12; 14:1, 11, 55) from Him a sign from heaven, one with divine authorization. In the Old Testament a “sign” was not so much a demonstration of power as an evidence that an utterance or action was authentic and trustworthy (cf. TDNT, s.v. “sēmeion,” 7:210-6, 234-6). The Pharisees did not demand a spectacular miracle, but that Jesus give unmistakable proof that He and His mission were authorized by God. They believed quite the opposite (cf. 3:22).

8:12. Jesus sighed deeply (cf. 7:34) and asked a rhetorical question that reflected His distress at their obstinate unbelief. The words this generation denoted the nation of Israel represented by those religious leaders (cf. 8:38; 9:19; 13:30). They continually rejected God’s gracious dealings with them (cf. Deut. 32:5-20; Ps. 95:10). Miraculous is not in the Greek text.

With a solemn introductory formula (I tell you the truth; cf. Mark 3:28) and a Hebrew idiom of strong denial (cf. Ps. 95:11; Heb. 3:11; 4:3, 5), Jesus rejected their demand: No sign will be given to “this generation.” Matthew cited the only exception, “the sign of Jonah” (Matt. 16:4), that is, Jesus’ resurrection (cf. Matt. 12:39-40).

In Mark, there is a distinction between a miracle (dynamis) and a sign (sēmeion). The former evidences God’s presence and power in Jesus. An appeal for a miracle can be a legitimate expression of one’s faith (e.g., Mark 5:23; 7:26, 32). But such an appeal is illegitimate if it arises out of unbelief, as was true of the Pharisees.

 Matthew 16:13-16 (AMP) Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is? And they answered, Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, But who do you [yourselves] say that I am? Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

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