Matthew 16:4

“A wicked and adulterous generation, etc.] He says the same things here, as he did to the Pharisees on a like occasion, in (<401239>Matthew 12:39). And he left them; as persons hardened, perverse, and incurable, and as unworthy to be conversed with: and departed: to the ship which brought him thither, and went in it to the other side of the sea of Galilee; (see <410813>Mark 8:13).”

“See also Mark 8:11-12. The Pharisees also, and the Sadducees - See the notes at Matthew 3:7. Tempting - That is, trying him - feigning a desire to see evidence that he was the Messiah, but with a real desire to see him make the attempt to work a miracle and fail, so that they might betray him and ruin him. A sign from heaven - Some miraculous appearance in the sky. Such appearances had been given by the prophets; and they supposed, if he was the Messiah, that his miracles would not all be confined to the earth, but that he was able to give some signal miracle from heaven. Samuel had caused it to thunder 1 Samuel 12:16-18; Isaiah had caused the shadow to go back ten degrees on the dial of…”

“A wicked and adulterous generation - Ye would seek no farther sign, did not your wickedness, your love of the world, which is spiritual adultery, blind your understanding. Matthew 16:5”

“wicked: Mat 12:39, Mat 12:40; Mar 8:12, Mar 8:38; Act 2:40 but: Jon 1:17; Luk 11:29, Luk 11:30 And he: Mat 15:14; Gen 6:3; Hos 4:17, Hos 9:12; Mar 5:17, Mar 5:18; Act 18:6 Matthew 16:5”