Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 16
Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary
Matthew 16
Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary
Matthew 16
"And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and trying him asked him to show them a sign from heaven." — Matthew 16:1 (ASV)
The single article in the Greek for “the Pharisees and Sadducees” implies that they acted together. Perhaps they represent the Sanhedrin, which included both groups (cf. Acts 23:6); or else a common opponent transforms usual enemies into friends (cf. Lk 23:12; cf. Psalms 2:2). These men came to Jesus to “test” him , asking for “a sign [GK 4956] from heaven” .
"But he answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, [It will be] fair weather: for the heaven is red." — Matthew 16:2 (ASV)
Jesus’ point here is clear enough: the Pharisees and Sadducees can read the “signs” that predict weather, but they remain oblivious to the “signs of the times” already happening. These signs testify to Jesus and the kingdom now dawning (cf. 11:4–6; 12:28). The proof that they cannot discern the signs is simply that they ask for a sign (v.1)!
"And in the morning, [It will be] foul weather to-day: for the heaven is red and lowering. Ye know how to discern the face of the heaven; but ye cannot [discern] the signs of the times." — Matthew 16:3 (ASV)
Jesus’ point here is clear enough: the Pharisees and Sadducees can read the “signs” that predict weather, but they remain oblivious to the “signs of the times” already happening. These signs testify to Jesus and the kingdom now dawning (cf. 11:4–6; 12:28). The proof that they cannot discern the signs is simply that they ask for a sign (v.1)!
"An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of Jonah. And he left them, and departed." — Matthew 16:4 (ASV)
But if a definitive sign is demanded, none but the sign of Jonah will be given (see 12:38–42 for an exposition of the sign). Jesus then left his opponents and withdrew by boat to the other side of the lake (v.5). But his withdrawal is emotional and judicial as well as geographical.
"And the disciples came to the other side and forgot to take bread." — Matthew 16:5 (ASV)
This is Jesus’ last and most important withdrawal from Galilee before his final trip south (19:1). The setting for this conversation may be the boat in which Jesus and his disciples cross the lake. It reveals the contrasting attitudes of Jesus and his disciples; he is still thinking about the malignity of the Pharisees and Sadducees (vv.1–4), and the disciples are thinking about food (15:29–38) that they forgot to bring.
“Yeast” was a common symbol for evil and could therefore be applied to different kinds of wickedness (e.g., Lk 12:1; cf. Exodus 34:25; Leviticus 2:11; 1 Corinthians 5:6–8), but always with the idea that a little of it could have a far-reaching and insidious effect. The disciples do not understand what Jesus is saying but find his words enigmatic and discuss them.
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