The
Jews therefore answered him, “What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?”
John 2:18
John 2 [12.] After this, he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few days. The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting. He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables. To those who sold the doves, he said, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will eat me up.”
John 2 [18.] The Jews therefore answered him, “What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?”
John 2 [19.] Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
Meaning:
Jesus has driven the animals and money changers out of the temple courts and called the temple “my Father’s house” (John 2:14-16). Such an act was bound to provoke a response from those responsible for the temple. In this verse they demand that he prove his right to act this way.
- “The Jews therefore answered him”
In John's Gospel, “the Jews” often refers to the religious authorities in Jerusalem, especially those who opposed Jesus, rather than to the Jewish people as a whole. Jesus himself, his mother and all his first disciples were Jews, and Jesus said that “salvation is from the Jews” (John 4:22). Here the speakers are the temple leaders, whose authority Jesus had just challenged. Reading carefully guards against the misuse of such passages to blame a whole people.
- “What sign do you show us”
The leaders do not deny that the temple trade was a problem. Their question is about authority. Who gave this Galilean teacher the right to act like a prophet or king in the temple? In the Synoptic Gospels the same leaders ask, “By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?” (Mark 11:28).
A sign was expected as proof that a prophet truly came from God. The Law warned that even a sign was not enough if it led people away from God (Deuteronomy 13:1), but a true sign from God could confirm a messenger. Paul observed that “Jews ask for signs” (1 Corinthians 1:22).
- “seeing that you do these things”
Jesus' action was itself a kind of sign, a prophetic act announcing God's judgment on empty worship. But his questioners wanted a further proof on their terms. On other occasions Jesus refused to perform signs on demand: “Why does this generation seek a sign? Most certainly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation” (Mark 8:11). After the feeding of the five thousand, the crowd would ask again, “What then do you do for a sign, that we may see, and believe you?” (John 6:30).
- The sign Jesus would give
Jesus' answer in the next verse points to the greatest sign of all: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19-21). In Matthew he speaks of “the sign of Jonah the prophet” (Matthew 12:39). Both point to his resurrection.
The Significance of John 2:18
- Faith and proof
Signs can strengthen faith, but no amount of proof convinces a heart that does not want to believe. Jesus said, “If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead” (Luke 16:31).
- The risen Christ as God's answer
God's final answer to the question “What sign?” is the resurrection of Jesus. Christians rest their faith on that event.
Cross-References:
Mark 11:28: “By what authority do you do these things?” The same challenge in Mark.
Matthew 12:39: “no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet.” The sign of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 1:22: “For Jews ask for signs,” Paul on the demand for signs.
John 6:30: “What then do you do for a sign, that we may see, and believe you?” A later demand for a sign.
Conclusion: John 2:18 records the temple leaders demanding a sign to prove Jesus' authority after he cleansed the temple. Jesus would not perform signs on demand, but he pointed them to the greatest sign of all. His death and resurrection would show beyond doubt who he is.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible