11The Pharisees came out and began to dispute with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, testing him. [8:12] Sighing deeply in his spirit, he said: Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation. [8:13] Leaving them, boarding the boat again, he went away to the other side.
MRK 8:11-13
The Demand for a Sign
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Jewish culture, the Pharisees were a prominent religious group known for their strict adherence to Torah and oral traditions. Their request for a 'sign from heaven' reflects a common expectation in Second-Temple Judaism that divine validation would come through miraculous acts, often tied to prophetic or messianic claims. The term indicates a confrontational debate, suggesting the Pharisees were not seeking genuine understanding but attempting to trap Jesus in a theological or legal dilemma. The use of underscores their intent to test or provoke Him, likely to discredit His authority. Jesus' deep sigh conveys His frustration with their persistent unbelief and demand for signs, a characteristic He associates with 'this generation' , a term that critiques the moral and spiritual condition of His contemporaries. In refusing to give a sign, Jesus challenges their reliance on external validation and redirects focus to faith and repentance.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MRK 8:11
- KJV
- And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
- BSB
- Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, testing Him by demanding from Him a sign from heaven.
- Koinōnos
- The Pharisees came out and began to dispute with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, testing him.
MRK 8:12
- KJV
- And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
- BSB
- Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
- Koinōnos
- Sighing deeply in his spirit, he said: Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.
MRK 8:13
- KJV
- And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
- BSB
- And He left them, got back into the boat, and crossed to the other side.
- Koinōnos
- Leaving them, boarding the boat again, he went away to the other side.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 18.1.2
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 18.1.2
“The Jews had for a great while had three sects of philosophy peculiar to themselves; the sect of the Essens, and the sect of the Sadducees, and the third sort of opinions was that of those called Pharisees”
Cited to ground: the Pharisees were a prominent religious group
Translator's notes
MRK 8:11
- to dispute:The word translated 'to dispute' implies a contentious debate or a searching examination together, often with the intent to challenge or find fault.
- testing:The word translated 'testing' can carry the sense of putting someone to the test with the intent to discover their true character or to prove them, which can sometimes imply temptation.
MRK 8:12
- having sighed deeply:The phrase 'having sighed deeply' conveys a profound, inward groan or sigh, suggesting a strong emotional reaction of distress, frustration, or sorrow.
- generation:The word translated 'generation' refers not just to a period of time, but also to the people living during that time, often with a shared character or moral quality.