John Calvin Commentary Matthew 16:1

"And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and trying him asked him to show them a sign from heaven." — Matthew 16:1 (ASV)

And the Pharisees came. Mark says that they began to dispute, from which we may infer that, when they had been defeated in argument, this was their last resort; for obstinate men, whenever they are driven to extremes, are accustomed to introduce something irrelevant to the subject to avoid being compelled to yield to the truth.

Although the nature of the dispute is not stated, I think it probable that they debated about the calling of Christ: why he dared to make any innovation, and why he made such lofty claims, as if by his coming he had fully restored the kingdom of God.

Having nothing further to object against his doctrine, they demand that he shall give them a sign from heaven.

But it is certain that a hundred signs would have no greater effect than the testimonies of Scripture. Besides, many miracles already performed had placed before their eyes the power of Christ, and had almost enabled them to touch it with their hands. Signs, by which Christ made himself familiarly known, are despised by them; and how much less will they derive advantage from a distant and obscure sign? Thus the Papists of our own day, as if the doctrine of the Gospel had not yet been proved, demand that it be confirmed by means of new miracles.

The Pharisees, together with the Sadducees. It is noteworthy that, although the Sadducees and the Pharisees regarded each other as enemies, and not only harbored bitter hatred but were continually hostile to one another, yet they formed a mutual alliance against Christ. In the same way, though ungodly men quarrel among themselves, their internal conflicts never prevent them from conspiring against God and making a pact to join forces in persecuting the truth.

Tempting. By this word, the Evangelists mean that it was not with honest intentions, nor from a desire for instruction, but with cunning and deceit, that they demanded what they thought Christ would refuse, or at least what they imagined was not in his power. Regarding him as utterly lowly and despicable, they had no other design than to expose his weakness and to destroy all the acclaim he had until then obtained among the people. In this manner, unbelievers are said to tempt God when they complain about being denied what their whim prompted them to ask, and charge God with a lack of power.