The Pharisees Ask Jesus For a Sign From Heaven
April 15, 2022
Commentary
The willful unbelief of the Pharisees disturbed the Lord to the depths of His spirit. They’re demanding to see a sign was not due to their desire to see the hand of God but because they were blind to His hand. The Biblical order for a Christian should be that “believing is seeing” and not “seeing is believing” (v.17).
Jesus once more seeks privacy with His disciples by getting in a boat with them crossing the Sea of Galilee to the district of Dalmanutha (v. 10). The Pharisees came out and started an argument with Jesus (v. 11) They wanted to test Him by asking for a sign from heaven. He asked why they are always looking for a sign from heaven and promised them that they will not be given one (vv. 12-13). He took advantage of this opportunity by warning them of the hypocrisy, pride, worldliness and legalistic spirit of the religious leaders. He was saying, “Don’t you go the same way the Pharisees and Herod have already gone.” At this point the disciples seemed very concerned that they had forgotten to bring enough to eat and they were going to be hungry (vv. 14-16). Jesus reminded them that twice He had satisfied the hunger of huge crowds and had food leftover. His question was why did they forget so quickly and why were they so slow in learning (vv. 17-21)?
If we would only learn the lessons of experience, it would teach us not the pessimism of the things that cannot be, but the hope which stands amazed that God has brought us thus far in safety and in certainty and the confidence that God can bring us through anything that may happen.
Application
What is it that makes it difficult for me to sometimes hear and accept spiritual things? What is something I have heard over and over and know that I should do and as yet have not put it into practice? Lord help me to be a person who accepts spiritual teaching and puts it into practice.
Mark 8:10– 21 (NET)
10 Immediately he got into a boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.
11 Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, asking for a sign from heaven to test him. 12 Sighing deeply in his spirit he said, âWhy does this generation look for a sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to this generation.â 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat, and went to the other side.
14 Now they had forgotten to take bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 And Jesus ordered them, âWatch out! Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod!â 16 So they began to discuss with one another about having no bread. 17 When he learned of this, Jesus said to them, âWhy are you arguing about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Have your hearts been hardened? 18 Though you have eyes, donât you see? And though you have ears, canât you hear? Donât you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the 5,000, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?â They replied, âTwelve.â 20 âWhen I broke the seven loaves for the 4,000, how many baskets full of pieces did you pick up?â They replied, âSeven.â 21 Then he said to them, âDo you still not understand?â
Illustration: McDowell Answers Tough Questions
People refuse to believe that which they don’t want to believe, in spite of evidence. When explorers first went to Australia they found a mammal which laid eggs; spent some time in water, some on land; had a broad, flat tail, webbed feet, and a bill similar to a duck. Upon their return to England, they told the populace of this, and all felt it was a hoax. They returned to Australia and found a pelt from this animal and took it back to England, but the people still felt it was a hoax. In spite of the evidence, they disbelieved because they didn’t want to believe. (J. McDowell, Answers to Tough Questions, under ââŹĹMiracles”)