Mark 8:10-13

He entered into a ship, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha Matthew says that, having fed the multitude, he took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala: but the evangelists may easily be reconciled, by supposing that Dalmanutha was a city and territory within the district of Magdala. The Pharisees came forth and began to question with him The Pharisees, having heard of the second miraculous dinner, and fearing that the whole common people would acknowledge him for the Messiah, resolved to confute his pretensions fully and publicly. For this purpose, they came forth with the Sadducees, (see Matthew 16:1,) who, though the opposites and rivals of the Pharisees in all other matters, joined them in their design of oppressing Jesus, and, along with them, demanded of him a sign from heaven, tempting, that is, trying him. See note on Matthew 16:1. Some think the Jews, “understanding the prophecy, Daniel 7:13, literally, expected the Messiah would make his first public appearance in the clouds of heaven, and take unto himself glory and a temporal kingdom:” and that, therefore, “when the Pharisees desired Jesus to show them a sign from heaven, they certainly meant that he should demonstrate himself to be the Messiah, by coming in a visible and miraculous manner from heaven with great pomp, and by wresting the kingdom out of the hands of the Romans.” These hypocrites craftily feigned an inclination to believe, if he could but give them sufficient evidence of his divine mission. However, their true design was, that by his failing to give the proof which they required, he should expose himself to general blame. And he sighed deeply in his spirit Feeling the bitterest grief on account of the incorrigibleness of their disposition. And said, Why doth this generation seek after a sign When so many signs, so many incontrovertible proofs of my mission from God have been already given, and continue to be given daily? Verily there shall no sign be given None such as they seek; to this generation See note on Matthew 16:3. The original expression here, ει δοθησεται σημειον, if a sign shall be given, is an elliptical form of an oath, as is evident from Hebrews 3:11. In ordinary cases, it may be supplied out of the ancient forms of swearing, thus: God do so to me, and more also, if a sign shall be given. But, in the mouth of God, such an 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 Ezekiel 14:16, ζω εγω, ει υιοι, θυγατερες σωθησονται, I live not, if sons or daughters be delivered.