For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
Parallel translations
- WEB For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,
- KJV For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
- BSB Jews demand signs and Greeks search for 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 and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
- Acts 17:18–21Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
- Luke 11:16Others, testing him, sought from him a sign from heaven.
- John 2:18The Jews therefore answered him, “What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?”
- Mark 8:11The Pharisees came out and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, and testing him.
- Matt 12:38–39Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
- Luke 11:20But if I by God’s finger cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come to you.
- John 4:28So the woman left her water pot, and went away into the city, and said to the people,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.