Mark 8:11

Pharisees Demand a Sign

11 And the Pharisees came and began to argue with him, demanding from him a sign from heaven [in order to] test him.

Mark 8:11 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 8:11

And the Pharisees came forth
Out of their houses; who dwelt in the coasts of Magdala, and parts of Dalmanutha, and came to Jesus, hearing of his being arrived in their neighbourhood:

and began to question with him;
or to dispute with him, it being their manner to carry on disputations by questions and answers. The Persic version has the question they put, and about which they disputed, "if thou art the Christ"; in proof of which they required a sign:

seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him;
(See Gill on Matthew 16:1).

Mark 8:11 In-Context

9 Now there were about four thousand. And he sent them away.

10 And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples [and] went to the district of Dalmanutha.

11 And the Pharisees came and began to argue with him, demanding from him a sign from heaven [in order to] test him.

12 And sighing deeply in his spirit, he said, "Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation!"

13 And he left them, got into [the boat] again, [and] went to the other side.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[in order to]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("test") which is understood as purpose