16 Now the Pharisees and Sadducees came up to Jesus, and they asked Him to show them a sign (spectacular miracle) from heaven [attesting His divine authority].

² He replied to them, ^[a]When it is evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,

³ And in the morning, It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a gloomy and threatening look. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

⁴ A wicked and morally unfaithful generation craves a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Then He left them and went away.^(A)

²⁴ Jesus answered them, I also will ask you a question, and if you give Me the answer, then I also will tell you by what ^[a]power of authority I do these things.

²⁵ The baptism of John—from where was it? From heaven or from men? And they reasoned and argued with one another, If we say, From heaven, ^[b]He will ask us, Why then did you not believe him?

²⁶ But if we say, From men—we are afraid of and must reckon with the multitude, for they all regard John as a prophet.

²⁷ So they answered Jesus, We do not know. And He said to them, Neither will I tell you by what ^[c]power of authority I do these things.