(11) And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. (12) And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
The sighing of CHRIST, deeply in spirit, as it is said he did, is no doubt of great signification. I do not presume to explain. Yet I venture to differ from every Commentator on the passage, who speak of it, as if JESUS was grieved at the hardness of the Pharisees' hearts, in not believing on him. Surely this could never be the case. For as JESUS knew them, and spake openly of them as a generation of vipers, which could not believe; how could the LORD be supposed to sigh on this account? See Matthew 23:1. throughout. But though I do not presume to assign the cause of the LORD's sighing deeply in spirit, I would beg to call the Reader's attention to the act itself, as a sweet testimony of his human affections. Oh! how truly blessed is it to discover, that JESUS was, and is, partaker of flesh and blood; and that in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren. Hebrews 2:14-17.