Matthew 16:2

2 He told them, "You have a saying that goes, 'Red sky at night, sailor's delight;

Matthew 16:2 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 16:2

He answered and said unto them
Knowing full well their views, and having wrought sufficient miracles to confirm his Messiahship, he thought fit to give them no other answer than this:

when it is evening, ye say, it will be fair weather, for the sky is
red;
when the sun is setting, it is a common thing for you to say, looking up to the heavens, and observing the face and colour of them, that it is like to be fair weather; no rain, that night, nor perhaps the next day, for the sky is red like fire, through the rays of the sun; which show the clouds to be very thin, and so will soon waste away, and consequently fine weather must follow.

Matthew 16:2 In-Context

1 Some Pharisees and Sadducees were on him again, pressing him to prove himself to them.
2 He told them, "You have a saying that goes, 'Red sky at night, sailor's delight;
3 red sky at morning, sailors take warning.' You find it easy enough to forecast the weather - why can't you read the signs of the times?
4 An evil and wanton generation is always wanting signs and wonders. The only sign you'll get is the Jonah sign." Then he turned on his heel and walked away.
5 On their way to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring along bread.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.