Mark 8:12
New International Version
He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.”

New Living Translation
When he heard this, he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why do these people keep demanding a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, I will not give this generation any such sign.”

English Standard Version
And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Berean Standard Bible
Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Berean Literal Bible
And having sighed deeply in His spirit, He says, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."

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

New King James Version
But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”

New American Standard Bible
Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation!”

NASB 1995
Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

NASB 1977
And sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Amplified Bible
He groaned and sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? I assure you and most solemnly say to you, no sign will be given to this generation!”

Christian Standard Bible
Sighing deeply in his spirit, he said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? I assure you: No sign will be given to this generation!”

American Standard Version
And 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.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus groaned and said, "Why are you always looking for a sign? I can promise you that you will not be given one!"

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
With a deep sigh he asked, "Why do these people demand a sign? I can guarantee this truth: If these people are given a sign, it will be far different than what they want!"

Good News Translation
But Jesus gave a deep groan and said, "Why do the people of this day ask for a miracle? No, I tell you! No such proof will be given to these people!"

International Standard Version
He sighed deeply in his spirit and remarked, "Why do those living today demand a sign? I tell all of you with certainty, no sign will be given to this generation."

Majority Standard Bible
Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, ?Why does this generation seek after a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.?

NET Bible
Sighing deeply in his spirit he said, "Why does this generation look for a sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to this generation."

New Heart English Bible
He sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek for a sign? Verily I say to you, There shall no sign be given to this generation.

Weymouth New Testament
Heaving a deep and troubled sigh, He said, "Why do the men of to-day ask for a sign? In solemn truth I tell you that no sign will be given to the men of to-day."

World English Bible
He sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Most certainly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and having sighed deeply in His spirit, He says, “Why does this generation seek after a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Berean Literal Bible
And having sighed deeply in His spirit, He says, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."

Young's Literal Translation
and having sighed deeply in his spirit, he saith, 'Why doth this generation seek after a sign? Verily I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And having sighed deeply in spirit, he says, Why seeks this generation for a sign Verily I say to you, shall a sign be given to this generation.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And sighing deeply in spirit, he saith: Why doth this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, a sign shall not be given to this generation.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And sighing deeply in spirit, he said: “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, if only a sign will be given to this generation!”

New American Bible
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

New Revised Standard Version
And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he sighed in his spirit and said, Why does this generation want a sign? truly I say to you, No sign will be given to this generation.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he groaned in his spirit and he said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, a sign shall not be given to this generation.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said: Why does this generation seek for a sign? Verily I say to you, No sign will be given to this generation.

Godbey New Testament
And groaning in spirit, He says, What sign does this generation seek after? truly I say unto you, No sign shall be given unto this generation.

Haweis New Testament
And fetching a deep sigh from his very soul, he saith, Why seeketh this generation a sign? verily I tell you, no sign shall be given to this generation.

Mace New Testament
but Jesus fetching a deep sigh, said, why does this generation require a sign? I assure you, they shall have none.

Weymouth New Testament
Heaving a deep and troubled sigh, He said, "Why do the men of to-day ask for a sign? In solemn truth I tell you that no sign will be given to the men of to-day."

Worrell New Testament
And, sighing deeply in His spirit, He saith, "Why does this generation seek a sign? verily I say to you, there shall no sign be given to this generation."

Worsley New Testament
And He sighing deeply in his spirit, saith, Why doth this generation require a sign? Verily I tell you, There shall no sign be given to this generation.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Demand for a Sign
11Then the Pharisees came and began to argue with Jesus, testing Him by demanding from Him a sign from heaven. 12 Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13And He left them, got back into the boat, and crossed to the other side.…

Cross References
Matthew 12:39-40
Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. / For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Luke 11:29-30
As the crowds were increasing, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. / For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation.

Matthew 16:4
A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.

John 2:18-19
On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?” / Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.”

1 Corinthians 1:22-23
Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom, / but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

Matthew 12:38
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”

Luke 12:54-56
Then Jesus said to the crowds, “As soon as you see a cloud rising in the west, you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and that is what happens. / And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It will be hot,’ and it is. / You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. Why don’t you know how to interpret the present time?

John 6:30
So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do?

Matthew 16:1
Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.

Luke 16:31
Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”

Isaiah 7:11-14
“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” / Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? ...

Deuteronomy 6:16
Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.

Exodus 17:2
So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”

Numbers 14:11
And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?

Psalm 95:9
where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work.


Treasury of Scripture

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, Why does this generation seek after a sign? truly I say to you, There shall no sign be given to this generation.

he sighed.

Mark 3:5
And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Mark 7:34
And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.

Mark 9:19
He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

Why.

Mark 6:6
And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

Luke 16:29-31
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them…

Luke 22:67-70
Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: …

There.

Matthew 12:39,40
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: …

Matthew 16:4
A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Luke 11:29,30
And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet…

Jump to Previous
Deep Deeply Generation Groaning Heaving Sad Seek Sigh Sighed Sign Solemn Spirit To-Day Troubled Truth Verily Wise
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Deep Deeply Generation Groaning Heaving Sad Seek Sigh Sighed Sign Solemn Spirit To-Day Troubled Truth Verily Wise
Mark 8
1. Jesus feeds the people miraculously;
10. refuses to give a sign to the Pharisees;
14. admonishes his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod;
22. gives a blind man his sight;
27. acknowledges that he is the Jesus who should suffer and rise again;
34. and exhorts to patience in persecution for the profession of the gospel.














He sighed deeply in His spirit
This phrase captures a moment of profound emotional response from Jesus. The Greek word for "sighed deeply" is "ἀναστενάζω" (anastenazō), which conveys a deep groaning or lament. This sigh is not merely physical but is described as being "in His spirit," indicating a deep, spiritual grief or frustration. Jesus' sigh reflects His sorrow over the spiritual blindness and hard-heartedness of the people. Historically, sighing in the spirit can be seen as a response to the persistent unbelief and lack of understanding among the people, despite the many miracles and teachings they had witnessed.

and said
This phrase introduces the direct words of Jesus, emphasizing the importance and authority of His forthcoming statement. In the context of the Gospels, when Jesus speaks, it is with divine authority and purpose. The use of "said" (Greek: "λέγω," legō) here is a common narrative device in the Gospels, but it underscores the weight of His pronouncement.

'Why does this generation demand a sign?
The term "generation" (Greek: "γενεά," genea) refers to the people living at that time, particularly those who were witnessing Jesus' ministry. The demand for a "sign" (Greek: "σημεῖον," sēmeion) indicates a desire for miraculous proof of Jesus' authority and identity. Historically, the Jewish people were accustomed to seeking signs as confirmation of divine messages, as seen in the Old Testament. However, Jesus' question highlights the issue of unbelief; despite the signs already given, the people continued to demand more, revealing a lack of faith and understanding.

Truly I tell you
This phrase, often rendered as "Amen, I say to you" in other translations, is a solemn declaration used by Jesus to emphasize the truth and importance of His statement. The word "truly" (Greek: "ἀμήν," amēn) is a transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning "firm" or "faithful." It serves as a strong affirmation of the truthfulness and certainty of what follows.

no sign will be given to this generation.'
Here, Jesus declares that no further signs will be provided to those who persist in unbelief. This statement can be understood in light of the broader biblical narrative, where signs and wonders are given to confirm faith, not to create it. The refusal to give a sign is a judgment on the spiritual state of the generation, which, despite witnessing Jesus' miracles, remains skeptical and unrepentant. This echoes the prophetic tradition where signs are withheld from those who are hardened in heart, as seen in the accounts of the prophets. Jesus' words serve as both a rebuke and a call to genuine faith, urging the people to recognize the signs already given and to respond with belief and repentance.

(12) There shall no sign be given.--We note the omission of "the sign of the prophet Jonas," as given in Matthew 16:4.

Verse 12. - He sighed deeply in his spirit (ἀναστενάξας) Another graphic touch of this evangelist; such as he had learnt in all probability from St. Peter. The word occurs nowhere but here. It is the outcome of grief and indignation, in which, however, grief predominates. There shall no sign be given unto this generation (εἰ δοθήσεται σημεῖον). This is a Hebrew idiom, based upon a form of taking an oath which prevailed amongst the Jews. The full form would be, "God do so and so to me, if so and so." Hence the hypothetical part of the clause came to be used alone, expressing a very strong form of denial or refusal.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[Jesus] sighed deeply
ἀναστενάξας (anastenaxas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 389: To groan or sigh deeply. From ana and stenazo; to sigh deeply.

in
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

His
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

spirit
πνεύματι (pneumati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

[and] said,
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Why
Τί (Ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

{does] this
αὕτη (hautē)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

generation
γενεὰ (genea)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1074: From genos; a generation; by implication, an age.

demand
ζητεῖ (zētei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

a sign?
σημεῖον (sēmeion)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4592: Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.

Truly
ἀμὴν (amēn)
Hebrew Word
Strong's 281: Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.

I tell
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

you,
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

no
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

sign
σημεῖον (sēmeion)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4592: Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally.

will be given
δοθήσεται (dothēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

to this
ταύτῃ (tautē)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

generation.”
γενεᾷ (genea)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1074: From genos; a generation; by implication, an age.


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NT Gospels: Mark 8:12 He sighed deeply in his spirit (Mar Mk Mr)
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