Devine Scripture

Mark 8:11

What does Mark 8:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 8:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 8:11 means

The Pharisees approached Jesus, seeking a "sign from heaven" to test Him. Their demand was not a genuine search for truth but an attempt to trap Him, implying that His previous miracles were insufficient or from an unauthorized source. This demonstrates their spiritual blindness and consistent opposition, always seeking external validation rather than internal transformation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, trying him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, trying him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Pharisees came out and put questions to him, requesting from him a sign from heaven, testing him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the Pharisees came forth, and began to dispute with him, seeking from him a sign from the heaven, tempting him;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Pharisees came forth and began to question with him, asking him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the Pharisees went out and began to dispute against him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, tempting him.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' arrival in Dalmanutha, initiating a direct confrontation with the religious authorities. It sets the stage for a significant exchange where the Pharisees' skepticism and manipulative intentions are revealed, contrasting sharply with Jesus' recent demonstration of compassionate power.

v.10And straightway he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.

v.11This passage

v.12And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Malachi 3:15

    and now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are built up; yea, they tempt God, and escape.

  • Exodus 17:7

    And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the striving of the children of Israel, and because they tempted Jehovah, saying, Is Jehovah among us, or not?

  • Luke 12:54

    And he said to the multitudes also, When ye see a cloud rising in the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it cometh to pass.

  • John 7:48

    Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?

  • 1 Corinthians 10:9

    Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents.

  • Matthew 16:1

    And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and trying him asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

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