Now the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Christ, asking for a sign from heaven. When in the days of Joshua Israel went out to battle with the Canaanites at Bethhoron, the sun had stood still at the leader's command until victory was gained; and many similar wonders had been manifest in their history. Some such sign was demanded of Jesus. But these signs were not what the Jews needed. No mere external evidence could benefit them. What they needed was not intellectual enlightenment, but spiritual renovation.

Nu kom farisæerne og saddukæerne til Kristus og bad ham om et tegn fra Himmelen. Da Israel på Josuas tid drog ud for at kæmpe mod kanaanæerne ved BetHoron, stod solen stille på deres førers bud, indtil sejren var vundet; og mange lignende undere var sket i folkets historie. Nu krævede de, at Jesus skulle give dem et sådant tegn. Men det var ikke den slags tegn, jøderne havde brug for. Intet rent ydre bevis ville være dem til nogen nytte. Det, de trængte til, var ikke forstandsmæssig oplysning, men åndelig fornyelse.