1. The Pharisees are unable to exercise faith. They ask Jesus to produce a sign instead.

2. Jesus had already produced many public miracles, miracles that the Pharisees accepted and believed were the result of demonic powers. A sign, however, is like a magic trick – producing fire from the sky or turning a river to blood.

On occasion, God granted signs to strengthen faith, but the Bible makes it clear that signs are a gift, not a demand. The same is true today. Signs cannot be required for belief – it would contradict the principle of faith. And the principle of faith ensures mankind requires a token of effort to attain God’s good grace.