Overview
The Bible addresses sign across 14 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, 1 Kings and Mark. Closely related themes include Calf, Judgments, Miracles and Christ, the Prophet. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus and Jeroboam.
Key Bible verses about sign
Old Testament
1 Kings
And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.
And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.
The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.
New Testament
Matthew
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mark
And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
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.
Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
John
This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
People in the Bible and sign
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying sign for yourself
- Begin with 1 Kings 13:3, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Matthew, 1 Kings and Mark each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jesus and Jeroboam and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Calf, Judgments, Miracles and Christ, the Prophet.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about sign?
The Bible addresses sign across 14 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, 1 Kings and Mark. Closely related themes include Calf, Judgments, Miracles and Christ, the Prophet. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus and Jeroboam.
How many Bible verses are about sign?
The Bible references sign in 14 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention sign?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is 1 Kings 13:3: “And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with sign?
Jesus and Jeroboam.
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