Mark 8:12

12 With a deep sigh he asked, "Why do these people demand a sign? I can guarantee this truth: If these people are given a sign, it will be far different than what they want!"

Mark 8:12 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 8:12

And he sighed deeply in his Spirit
In his human soul; and which shows that he had one, and was subject to grief and sorrow, and all passions and infirmities, excepting sin. This deep sigh was on account of the hardness of their hearts, the malignity of their minds, and insincerity of their intentions; who had no view to come at truth by this inquiry, but to ensnare him:

and saith, why doth this generation seek after a sign?
when so many have been shown among them, and they will not believe:

verily I say unto you, there shall no sign be given to this
generation:
such as they desired; namely, one from heaven. The Evangelist Matthew adds, "but the sign of the Prophet Jonas"; (See Gill on Matthew 16:4), (See Gill on Matthew 12:40).

Mark 8:12 In-Context

10 After that, Jesus and his disciples got into a boat and went into the region of Dalmanutha.

11 The Pharisees went to Jesus and began to argue with him. They tested him by demanding that he perform a miraculous sign from heaven.

12 With a deep sigh he asked, "Why do these people demand a sign? I can guarantee this truth: If these people are given a sign, it will be far different than what they want!"

13 Then he left them there. He got into a boat again and crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

14 The disciples had forgotten to take any bread along and had only one loaf with them in the boat.