Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
16:2-3 Jesus made a deliberate play on their words when they sought a “sign from heaven” (16:1). They were able to read the weather in the sky (Greek ouranos, the same word translated “heaven”), but they failed to discern the Messiah despite the many signs already given (see 11:1-6).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
16:2-3 Jesus made a deliberate play on their words when they sought a “sign from heaven” (16:1). They were able to read the weather in the sky (Greek ouranos, the same word translated “heaven”), but they failed to discern the Messiah despite the many signs already given (see 11:1-6).
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose.
and he answering said to them, 'Evening having come, ye say, Fair weather, for the heaven is red,
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν αυτοις οψιας γενομενης λεγετε ευδια πυρραζει γαρ ο ουρανος
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
But he answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the heaven is red.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
But he answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
But in answer he said to them, At nightfall you say, The weather will be good, for the sky is red.