Matthew 12:38

Then some of the experts in the law ¹  along with some Pharisees ²  answered him, ³  “Teacher, we want to see a sign ⁴  from you.”

Mt 16:1-4; Mr 8:11,12; Lu 11:16,29; Joh 2:18; Joh 4:48; 1Co 1:22

¹ tn Or “Then some of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

² tn Grk “and Pharisees.” The word “some” before “Pharisees” has been supplied for clarification.

sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

³ tn Grk “answered him, saying.” The participle λέγοντες (legontes) is redundant, but the syntax of the sentence was changed to conform to English style.

⁴ sn What exactly this sign would have been, given what Jesus was already doing, is not clear. But here is where the fence-sitters reside, refusing to commit to him.