Why doesn't Jesus give the Pharisees a sign? He knew they'd still view him as a deceiver, as he didn't follow the man-made traditions they consider on par with Scripture. In Mark 3:22, they already claimed he performs his miracles demonically. They've tried to create a no-win situation for him.

No sign will be given... three thoughts:

1. Jesus is giving a master class in how to handle difficult people: don't play their game. Just say no!

2. Oath... Jesus is emphatically saying "no", essentially making an oath that no signs will be given to this generation...

3. ...though he makes an exception in Matthew 16 for the sign of Jonah... (Matthew 16:1-4), meaning he himself will be in "the belly of the great fish" for 3 days when he descends into the heart of the earth. As Nineveh repented, the Pharisees will see the gentiles repent and be saved at the return of Jesus (the greater Jonah)!

Jesus himself is the missing loaf of bread, the Bread of Life.

The leaven spoken of in the gospels varies: In Mark, Jesus says to beware the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod. In Matthew, it's the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Luke says the leaven of the Pharisees, and equates it to hypocrisy. The Pharisees are the common thread in each of these gospels! Those who oppose Jesus.

The Pharisees and Sadducees can't stand each other; the Pharisees also can't stand Herod. Yet, they've all united around their common enemy: Jesus.

Numbers... Feeding of the 5,000 + feeding of the 4,000 = 9,000. An incomplete number... maybe there will be a third feeding of 3,000 at some point, to arrive at a more significant number like 12,000? Yes, in Acts 2:41, Pentecost! Where 3,000 were added to the Church! They devoted themselves to fellowship, teaching, and the breaking of bread.

"Do you not yet understand?" This question launches the next section of Mark... join us next week!