What Does Matthew 12:38 Mean?
Then some of the scribes and separated ones answered, saying, Teacher, we desire to see a sign from you.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James Version
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.THE KEY
The word for “sign” holds an indication within it: what they want to see is meant to point beyond itself.
THE MEANING
This verse gives language to the urge to ask for something visible and unmistakable before receiving what is being said. The request is directed at Jesus: “we would see a sign from thee.” A sign, by its word-sense, is an indication, so what is seen points toward what it discloses.
THE ROOT
σημεῖον
sēmeion
GROWS FROM
σημ- (sēm-), from σῆμα (sēma)
A mark, sign, or indication.
The Greek word σημεῖον (sēmeion, sign or indication) belongs to the family of σῆμα (sēma, mark) and σημαίνω (sēmainō, indicate or signify). The shared sense is a mark that makes something known: the visible sign directs attention toward what it signifies.
ALSO GROWS
sēma: Mark or sign.
σῆμα
It shows the family’s basic image: a mark that distinguishes or indicates.
sēmainō: Indicate or signify.
σημαίνω
It carries the act of making something known; a sign is an indication that points beyond the event itself.
THE PATTERN
A sign is a visible marker that directs perception toward what it indicates.
And it shall come to pass, if they will not lean their weight on you, nor hear and respond to the voice of the first sign, that they will lean their weight on the voice of the latter sign.This beginning of signs Jesus made in Cana of Galilee, and he brought his weight into the light, and his disciples leaned their weight on him.And truly Jesus did many other signs before the eyes of his disciples, which are not written in this book.THE THREAD
Then Jesus said to him, Unless you perceive signs and wonders, you will not trust.John 4:48 uses the same Greek word σημεῖον (sēmeion, sign) for the visible evidence being demanded. The shared word brings the condition into focus: sight is being asked to come before trust.
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