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Mat_16:1 ff. Comp. Mar_8:11 ff. Not a duplicate of the incident recorded in Mat_12:38 (Strauss, de Wette, Bruno Bauer, Schneckenburger, Volkmar, Weizsäcker, Bleek, Scholten), but a second demand for a sign, and that from heaven, in which respect it is distinguished from the first. With regard to the alliance between Pharisees and Sadducees, supposed by some to be utterly improbable (de Wette, Strauss, Weiss, Scholten), it is sufficient to say, with Theophylact: κἂν τοῖς δόγμασι διίσταντο Φαρισαῖοι καὶ Σαδδουκαῖοι , ἀλλά γε κατὰ Χριστοῦ συμπνέουσι · σημεῖον δὲ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ζητοῦσιν , ἐδόκουν γὰρ , ὅτι τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς σημεῖα ἀπὸ δαιμονικῆς δυνάμεως καὶ ἐν Βεελζεβοὺλ γίνονται . In the unbelieving hostility with which they are animated, they demand of Him the very highest sign which the Messiah would be expected to give (Mat_24:29 f.; Joe_3:3 f.), intending thereby to have Him put to the test, but thinking, all the time, that it would be beyond His power to comply with their demand.
ἐπηρώτησαν ] Their challenge was put in the form of inquiry.
The compound ἐπερωτᾶν never means: to request, to beg; see note on Mat_15:23.
Their questions had reference to such a sign, by way of Messianic credential, as, coming from heaven, would be visible to their outward eye.
ἐπιδεῖξαι ] spectandum praebere, Joh_2:18.