Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 16:1

1 THe Pharisees also with the Sadduces came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

What these Pharisees and Sadduces were, we have had an occasion to shew before in our Annotations on Ch. 3. v. 7. there was a great Opposition betwixt them, as we may learn from Acts 23.7, 8. The Pharisees and Scribes were great Zealots for their Traditions. The Sadduces valued them not, The Pharisees held, the Resurrection, Angels and Spirits. The Sadduces denied all. But they were both Enemies to Christ, and Combine in their designs against him. They came to him Tempting, that is, desirous to make a tryal of him, they desire that he would shew them a Sign from Heaven. Such a one as Moses shewed them, Ioh. 6.30, 31. bringing down Bread from Heaven. They had seen our Saviour shewing many Signs, but they had taught the People, that these things might be done by the Power of the Devil, or by the Art of Man, therefore they challenge our Saviour to shew them another kind of Sign, a Sign from Heaven, that they might know he was sent of God. See Mark 8.11.

Marginal references: Chap. 12.38.