For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
Parallel translations
- WEB For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,
- BSB Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom,
- NKJV For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
- NASB For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom;
- NLT It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jews demanded miraculous signs and Greeks pursued philosophical wisdom. Both sought God on their own terms.
Overview
Paul characterizes the two cultural mindsets confronting the gospel: Jews wanted signs of power, Greeks prized eloquent wisdom. Each demanded that God conform to their expectations. Both stumble at a crucified Messiah, who fits neither the craving for spectacle nor the appetite for human sophistication.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Matt 16:1–4The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
- Acts 17:18–21Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
- Luke 11:16And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
- John 2:18Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
- Mark 8:11And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
- Matt 12:38–39Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
- Luke 11:20But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
- John 4:28The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 1:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.