Teks -- Mark 8:12 (NET)

8:12 Sighing deeply in his spirit he said, “Why does this generation look for a sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: Mar 8:12 - He sighed deeply in his spirit

He sighed deeply in his spirit ( anastenaxas tōi pneumati ).

The only instance of this compound in the N.T. though in the lxx. The uncompounded form occurs in Mar 7:34 and it is common enough. The preposition anȧ 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.

Robertson: Mar 8:12 - There shall no sign be given unto this generation

There shall no sign be given unto this generation ( ei dothēsetai tēi geneāi tautēi sēmeion ).

Mat 16:4 has simply ou dothēsetai , plain negative with the future passive indicative. Mark has ei instead of ou , which is technically a conditional clause with the conclusion unexpressed (Robertson, Grammar , p. 1024), really aposiopesis in imitation of the Hebrew use of im . 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. Mat 16:4 adds "but the sign of Jonah"mentioned already by Jesus on a previous occasion (Mat 12:39-41) at more length and to be mentioned again (Luk 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).

Vincent: Mar 8:12 - Sighed deeply in his spirit

Sighed deeply in his spirit

Peculiar to Mark.

Vincent: Mar 8:12 - There shall no sign be given

There shall no sign be given ( εἰ δοθήσεται σημεῖον )

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.

Wesley: Mar 8:12

Mat 16:4.

JFB: Mar 8:12 - And he sighed deeply in his spirit

The language is very strong. These glimpses into the interior 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.

JFB: Mar 8:12 - and saith, Why doth this generation

"this wicked and adulterous generation" (Mat 16:4).

JFB: Mar 8:12 - seek after a sign?

When they have had such abundant evidence already.

JFB: Mar 8:12 - There shall no sign be given unto this generation

Literally, "If there shall be given to this generation a sign"; a Jewish way of expressing a solemn and peremptory determination to the contrary (compare Heb 4:5; Psa 95:11, Margin). "A generation incapable of appreciating such demonstrations shall not be gratified with them." In Mat 16:4 He added, "but the sign of the prophet Jonas." (See on Mat 12:39-40.)

Clarke: Mar 8:12 - And he sighed deeply in his spirit

And he sighed deeply in his spirit - Or having deeply groaned - so the word αναστεναξας properly means. He was exceedingly affected at their obstinacy and hardness of heart. See Mat 16:1-4.

Calvin: Mar 8:12 - And groaning in his spirit

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.

TSK: Mar 8:12 - he sighed // Why // There

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

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: Mar 8:10-13

Ver. 10-13. Matthew saith, he came into the coasts of Magdala; it is probable they were two contiguous tracts of land. We often read of the Pharisees coming to our Saviour to ask a sign. Had they not signs? What were all the miracles he wrought but signs of his Divine power and mission? But they ask for a sign from heaven, such a sign as Moses, Joshua, and Elijah gave them, by this means making a trial of his Divine power. Our Saviour, who never wrought miracles to satisfy men’ s curiosity, but only to confirm their faith, refuseth to show them any such sign as they desired, and leaves these coasts.

Lightfoot: Mar 8:12 - Why doth this generation seek after a sign

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.

Haydock: Mar 8:12 - A sign shall not be given

Jesus Christ fetches a deep sigh on account of their obduracy, and says; why do these ask for a miracle to confirm their belief, when they resist the authority of so many miracles, which are daily performed under their eyes? (Bible de Vence) ---

A sign shall not be given. But by a Hebrew form of speech, if divers times is put for a negative. (Witham)

Gill: Mar 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 to this generation

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 Mat 16:4, Mat 12:40.