When the Pharisees Demand Miracles – Matthew 12
Have you ever found yourself saying, “God, just give me a sign!” You’re not alone. Today, we’ll look at Matthew 12:38–45, where the Pharisees demand miracles from Jesus—not because they were open to believing, but because they wanted to test Him. This gives us a lesson about faith, signs, and what it really means to trust in God. So, what did Jesus say about signs?
Why Do We Ask God for Signs?
There are times in our lives when we want a burning bush moment. We want God to write the answer in the sky or perform a miracle to prove He’s listening.
But that’s not how faith works.
“Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, ‘Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.’”
“But He answered and said to them, ‘An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet…’” – Matthew 12:38–39 NASB
When the Pharisees demanded miracles, they weren’t asking with sincere hearts. They weren’t looking for truth—mostly, they were looking for control, for confirmation on their own terms.
Sound familiar?
Jesus and Signs: The Real Message
Jesus responds with a deep truth:
“…for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” – Matthew 12:40 NASB
In other words, the only sign they’d get was the resurrection—the ultimate confirmation of who Jesus is.
Why the Pharisees’ Demands Missed the Point
By this point in His ministry, Jesus had already performed plenty of miracles. The blind were seeing, the lame were walking, and lives were being changed. But still, the Pharisees demanded signs.
Why?
- They weren’t looking to believe.
- They were trying to trap Jesus.
- Their hearts were closed off to the truth.
Asking for another sign wouldn’t change that!
When Waiting Feels Like the Hardest Part
Have you ever prayed hard and felt like God wasn’t listening?
You’re not alone. We all experience moments when we want an immediate miracle or a clear answer. But, God generally responds to prayer in 3 ways:
- Yes
- No
- Wait
And, Waiting is the toughest answer. But God’s timing is never wrong. Even when we don’t see a miracle in the moment, it doesn’t mean He’s not working.
Should We Ask for Miracles to Believe?
Jesus made it clear in Matthew 12:39:
“An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign…”
That may sound harsh, but it’s really a call to shift our focus—from demanding proof to cultivating faith.
Sure, miracles are amazing when they happen–but they’re not a requirement for belief. Faith is.
The “ETV” Dilemma: Faith in Facts vs. Faith in God
Ever seen a documentary that “debunks” a Bible story? Or a show that tries to explain away the supernatural parts of Scripture?
Those shows can be interesting—but they’re not the foundation of our faith.
Jesus said:
“Blessed are those who did not see, and yet believed.” – John 20:29 NASB
Faith doesn’t mean we ignore evidence. It means we trust God’s Word over man’s theories.
What to Do Instead of Looking for Signs
Instead of asking for a sign, we can:
- Trust God’s Word
- Pray with open hearts
- Share the Gospel with others
- Watch for God’s quiet work in everyday moments
Sometimes the biggest miracles come in the smallest acts—a kind word, a changed heart, an answered prayer you didn’t expect.
Jesus’ Example in the Garden
When Jesus faced His own suffering, He didn’t ask for a sign. He prayed:
“Your will be done.” – Matthew 26:42 NASB
That’s the ultimate faith move—trusting God even when the road ahead is unclear.
*Read Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane here.
Trust Over Proof
Whether we’re watching the skies or flipping through the channels, it’s tempting to look for proof. But as this story from Matthew 12 shows, signs won’t satisfy a heart that refuses to believe.
True faith is choosing to trust even when we don’t see the full picture.
So today, instead of asking for a miracle, let’s ask for more trust. I know it’s incredibly difficult to let God work in His time, especially when when we pray out of desperation. But, let’s try to be the kind of people who believe—and then help others believe too.
Because when someone hears the Gospel through you, that just might be the greatest miracle of all!
Love In Christ
– Bob
If you would like to discover how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16 for more information.