Intro to Chapter 21: The Crowds Want a Sign
Jesus healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, calmed a storm, and walked on water. All miracles. All displays of supernatural power. Still the crowds called on him for a Sign. What they meant perhaps was a sign from the heavens, where God was, to prove the source of Jesus’ power. He had fed them with barley loaves; they wanted manna from heaven. They wanted something spectacular, like the smoke that wreathed Sinai and the thunder and lightning and fire that accompanied the Lord when he came down to Moses.
Jesus was to perform such a miracle, but only three of his disciples would be there to see it.