Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 8:12
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.
12. he sighed deeply in his spirit ] Not merely, we may conclude, at their hardened disbelief, but also with the feeling that the decisive crisis of the severance from the ruling powers had come. “For the demand for a sign from heaven was a demand that He should, as the Messiah of their expectation, accredit Himself by a great overmastering miracle; thus it was fundamentally similar to the temptation in the wilderness, which He had repelled and overcome.” Lange.
There shall no sign be given ] Literally, If a sign shall be given to this generation, a Hebrew form of strong abjuration. Comp. Heb 3:11, where see the margin; Mar 4:3; Mar 4:5; Gen 14:23; Num 14:30. St Mark does not mention the sign of “Jonah the prophet” mentioned by St Matthew (Mat 16:4).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 12. And he sighed deeply in his spirit] Or having deeply groaned – so the word properly means. He was exceedingly affected at their obstinacy and hardness of heart. See Mt 16:1-4.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
12. And he sighed deeply in hisspiritThe language is very strong. These glimpses into theinterior of the Redeemer’s heart, in which our Evangelist abounds,are more precious than rubies. The state of the Pharisaic heart,which prompted this desire for a fresh sign, went to His very soul.
and saith, Why doth thisgeneration“this wicked and adulterous generation”(Mt 16:4).
seek after a sign?whenthey have had such abundant evidence already.
There shall no sign be givenunto this generationliterally, “If there shall be givento this generation a sign”; a Jewish way of expressing a solemnand peremptory determination to the contrary (compare Heb 4:5;Psa 95:11, Margin). “Ageneration incapable of appreciating such demonstrations shall not begratified with them.” In Mt16:4 He added, “but the sign of the prophet Jonas.”(See on Mt 12:39, 40.)
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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 comments on Mt 16:4],
[See comments on Mt 12:40].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
He sighed deeply in his spirit ( ). The only instance of this compound in the N.T. though in the LXX. The uncompounded form occurs in Mr 7:34 and it is common enough. The preposition – intensifies the meaning of the verb (perfective use). “The sigh seemed to come, as we say, from the bottom of his heart, the Lord’s human spirit was stirred to its depths” (Swete). Jesus resented the settled prejudice of the Pharisees (and now Sadducees also) against him and his work.
There shall no sign be given unto this generation ( ). Mt 16:4 has simply , plain negative with the future passive indicative. Mark has instead of , which is technically a conditional clause with the conclusion unexpressed (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1024), really aposiopesis in imitation of the Hebrew use of . This is the only instance in the N.T. except in quotations from the LXX (Heb 3:11; Heb 4:3; Heb 4:5). It is very common in the LXX. The rabbis were splitting hairs over the miracles of Jesus as having a possible natural explanation (as some critics do today) even if by the power of Beelzebub, and those not of the sky (from heaven) which would be manifested from God. So they put up this fantastic test to Jesus which he deeply resents. Mt 16:4 adds “but the sign of Jonah” mentioned already by Jesus on a previous occasion (Mt 12:39-41) at more length and to be mentioned again (Lu 11:32). But the mention of the sign of Jonah was “an absolute refusal of signs in their sense” (Bruce). And when he did rise from the dead on the third day, the Sanhedrin refused to be convinced (see Acts 3 to 5).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Sighed deeply in his spirit. Peculiar to Mark.
There shall no sign be given [ ] . Lit., if a sign shall be given. The expression, is elliptical. It is a Hebrew idiom, and is really, at bottom, a form of imprecation. If I do not thus or so, may some judgment overtake me. Compare Heb 3:11.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And He sighed deeply in His spirit and saith,” (kai anastenaksas to pneurnati autou legei) ”And groaning deeply in His spirit He said to them,” responded to them. The sigh was audible and physical, but its cause was spiritual, because of their enmity, unbelief, and coming doom, Joh 8:24.
2) ”Why doth this generation seek after a sign?” (ti he genea aute zetei semeion) “Why does this generation seek (search for) a sign?” a further sign. One who could not read the fulfilled prophetic sign of Him already before their eyes was blind, Mat 16:4; 2Co 4:3-4.
3) ”Verily I say unto you,” (amen lego humin) ”Truly or for certain I tell you all,” you skeptical, willfully blind Pharisees, Mar 8:11.
4) “There shall no sign be given to this generation.” (ei dothesetai te genea touta semeion) “There shall not a (further) sign of the kind demanded be given to this generation (of Jews).” Why? Because such would only have been “casting pearls before swine,” Mat 7:6; Joh 5:43.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Mar 8:12
. And groaning in his spirit. By these words Mark informs us that it occasioned grief and bitter vexation to our Lord, when he saw those ungrateful men obstinately resist God. And certainly all who are desirous to promote the glory of God, and who feel concern about the salvation of men, ought to have such feelings that nothing would inflict on their hearts a deeper wound than to see unbelievers purposely blocking up against themselves the way of believing, and employing all their ingenuity in obscuring by their clouds the brightness of the word and works of God. The words, in his spirit, appear to me to be added emphatically, to inform us that this groan proceeded from the deepest affection of his heart, and that no sophist might allege that Christ resorted to outward attitudes to express a grief which he did not inwardly feel; for that holy soul, which was guided by the zeal of the Spirit, must have been moved by deep sadness at the sight of such wicked obstinacy.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(12) There shall no sign be given.We note the omission of the sign of the prophet Jonas, as given in Mat. 16:4.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And he sighed deeply in his spirit and says, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say to you, there shall be no sign given to this generation.”
Their unbelief moved Him deeply, and He recognised that that unbelief was not only in them but in many of the people who had crowded around to see miracles. They were all looking for the wrong thing. And He was greatly distressed by it. After all that He had done and taught, all that they could think of was spectacular signs.
‘This generation.’ That is, the majority who failed to truly respond to His words. It included the Pharisees, the Scribes, the people of His own home region (Mar 6:1-6) and and all who rejected the message of His disciples (Mar 6:11). But no sign would be given them for any such sign would have produced the wrong result. If they had had eyes to see they had in fact seen much that demonstrated that the Kingly Rule of God had drawn near, but it had not convinced them, because it was not what they wanted. They did not want a call to obedience and moral rectitude. They wanted to be lifted along on a wave of divine power and to be given freedom to live as they wanted to live, freedom from the Romans and all their adversaries, so that they could follow their own ways. They wanted a heavenly visitant, revealing what they thought of as heavenly powers, who would do it all for them. They wanted to be miraculously fed by the Messiah, (which interestingly the people of Decapolis had been). These were the signs that their literature had promised them. For the truth was that these great ‘seekers after righteousness’ had lost the moral dimension.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Mar 8:12. There shall no sign be given . I am not alive, if a sign, &c. That this is an elliptical form of adjuration, is evident from Heb 3:11 in the original. The oath must be supplied thus: Let me not be true, if they shall enter into my rest,if a sign shall be given, &c. Or as in Eze 14:16. I live not, if sons or daughters be delivered, See the LXX. and Bos’s Ellipses. Some MSS. and versions read , shall not be given. See Wetstein.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
12 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.
Ver. 12. And he sighed deeply ] His heart was straitened (as the word signifies) and would have burst, but for a vent.
” Expletur lachrymis egeriturque dolor. “
So those marked mourners sighed and cried for others, who were altogether insensible of their own miseries, Eze 9:4 . So Habakkuk trembled and quivered for the Chaldeans’ calamities, Hab 3:16 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
12. ] ., a Hebrew form of strong abjuration: see reff., and Winer, 55 end.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mar 8:12 . , fetching a deep sigh, here only in N. T.; in Sept [68] , Lament. Mar 1:4 , Sir 25:18 , etc. ., in His spirit. The sigh physical, its cause spiritual a sense of irreconcilable enmity, invincible unbelief, and coming doom. , if there shall be given = there shall not ( ) be given a Hebraistic form of emphatic negative assertion. The suppressed apodosis is: may I die, or God punish me. Other instances in Heb 3:11 ; Heb 4:3 ; Heb 4:5 . In Mark there is an absolute refusal of a sign. In Matthew the refusal is qualified by offer of Jonah. But that was an absolute refusal of signs in their sense .
[68]Septuagint.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
sighed deeply in His spirit. A Divine supplement, here.
spirit. Greek. pneuma. See App-101.
Why, &c. Figure of speech Erotesis (App-8). See note on Mar 8:17.
seek = repeatedly seek.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
12.] ., a Hebrew form of strong abjuration: see reff., and Winer, 55 end.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mar 8:12. ) When He has betaken Himself to [having commenced] sighing. The word is inchoative or inceptive, as , etc. And yet to begin to groan or sigh remains a , or mental emotion.[56]
[56] Not a premeditated act of the mind: though to begin to groan might seem to imply it was the latter.-ED. and TRANSL.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
he sighed: Mar 3:5, Mar 7:34, Mar 9:19, Isa 53:3, Luk 19:41, Joh 11:33-38
Why: Mar 6:6, Luk 16:29-31, Luk 22:67-70, Joh 12:37-43
There: Mat 12:39, Mat 12:40, Mat 16:4, Luk 11:29, Luk 11:30
Reciprocal: 2Ki 20:9 – This sign Mat 5:18 – verily Mat 12:38 – Master Mar 8:21 – How Mar 14:18 – Verily Luk 11:16 – General Joh 11:38 – groaning
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2
Sighed deeply means Jesus made a deep groan over the perversity of those people. He did not consider them worthy of much attention. In Mat 16:4 he did tell them about Jonah, but that was not what they really wanted.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
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.
[Why doth this generation seek after a sign?] instead of a comment, take a story: “On that day, R. Eliezer answered to all the questions in the whole world, but they hearkened not to him. He said therefore to them, ‘If the tradition be according to what I say, let this siliqua [a kind of tree] bear witness.’ The siliqua was rooted up, and removed a hundred cubits from its place: there are some who say four hundred. They say to him, ‘A proof is not to be fetched from a siliqua.’ He saith to them again, ‘If the tradition be with me, let the rivers of waters testify’: the rivers of waters are turned backward. They say to him, ‘A proof is not to be fetched from the rivers of waters.’ He said to them again, ‘If the tradition be with me, let the walls of the school testify’: the walls bowed, as if they were falling. R. Josua chid them, saying, ‘If there be a controversy between the disciples of the wise men about tradition, what is that to you?’ Therefore the walls fell not in honour of R. Josua. Yet they stood not upright again in honour of R. Eliezer. He said to them, moreover, ‘If the tradition be with me, let the heavens bear witness.’ The Bath Kol went forth and said, ‘Why do ye contend with R. Eliezer, with whom the tradition always is?’ R. Jonah rose up upon his feet, and said, ‘It is not in heaven’ (Deu 30:12). What do these words, ‘It is not in heaven,’ mean? R. Jeremiah saith, When the law is given from mount Sinai, we do not care for the Bath Kol.”
Shall we laugh at the fable, or shall we suspect some truth in the story? For my part, when I recollect with myself, how addicted to and skillful that nation was in art-magic; which is abundantly asserted not only by the Talmudists, but by the Holy Scriptures; I am ready to give some credit to this story, and many others of the same nature: namely, that the thing was really acted by the art and help of the devil by those ensign-bearers and captains of errors, the more to establish their honour and tradition.
Therefore, from the story, be it true or false, we observe these two things: —
I. How tenacious the Jews were of their traditions, and how unmovable in them even beyond the evidence of miracles. That Eliezer was of great fame among them, but he was a follower of Shammai. Hence he is called once and again the Shammean. When, therefore, he taught something against the school of Hillel, although he did miracles (as they themselves relate), they gave not credit to him, nay, they derided him. The same was their practice, the same was their mind, against the miracles of Christ. And to this may these words of our Saviour tend, “Why does this generation seek a sign?” a generation, which is not only altogether unworthy of miracles, but also which is sworn to retain their traditions and doctrines, although infinite miracles be done to the contrary.
II. You see how the last testimony of the miracles of this conjuror is fetched from heaven: “For the Bath Kol went forth,” etc. Which the followers of Hillel nevertheless received not: and therein not justly indeed; when they feign such a voice to have come to themselves from heaven, as a definitive oracle for the authority of the school of Hillel, not to be gainsaid: concerning which the Talmudists speak very frequently, and very boastingly.
After the same manner they require a sign from heaven of our Saviour; not content with those infinite miracles that he had done, the healing of disease, the casting out devils, the multiplying of loaves, etc. They would also have somewhat from heaven, either after the example of Moses fetching manna from thence; or of Elias fetching down fire; or of Joshua staying the sun; or of Isaiah bringing it backwards.
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Mar 8:12. And he sighed deeply in his spirit. This sigh, or groan, came from His heart, showing how keenly He felt the opposition He encountered. They showed more decided enmity, but the plain prediction of His death which so soon followed (Mar 8:31), shows that He knew the crisis was approaching. (The sign of the prophet Jonah, Mat 16:4, points in the same way.) It may have been a sign of His entering, though with human pang, upon the appointed path of tribulation. But the sigh was mainly for these who would reject the atoning sorrows they were the instruments in producing.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 12
Unto this generation; that is, men of this captious and cavilling spirit. The people of that day, who were disposed candidly to consider his doings, had a sign abundantly sufficient to satisfy their minds.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
8:12 And he {c} sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, {d} There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
(c) These sighs came from the centre of his heart for the Lord was very much moved with the great unbelief of these men.
(d) Literally, “If a sign be given”. It is an abbreviated kind of speech very common among the Hebrews; it is the same as when we say, “Let me be taken for a liar”, or something similar. And when they speak out the whole, they say, “The Lord do such and such by me.”
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The Greek word translated "sighing deeply" is anastenazo.
"It describes Jesus’ grief and disappointment when faced with the unbelief of those who, because of their spiritual privileges, ought to have been more responsive to him." [Note: Wessel, p. 688.]
The spirit was Jesus’ human spirit. The contemporary Jews who opposed Jesus constituted the generation to which He referred. He refused to give the type of sign they requested because the evidence that He had presented was more than adequate to convince an open-minded person. Jesus distinguished between miracles (Gr. dynamis) and signs (Gr. semeion) by using the second word here. He had given plenty of miracles to bolster faith. He would not give a sign to those bent on disbelieving. From this Mark’s readers were to learn that Jesus’ miracles were ample proof of His deity.