1 Corinthians 1:22

The Jews. Literally, “Jews.” The absence of the article in the Greek calls attention to the characteristics of the noun so appearing rather than to identity. Similarly “the Greeks” is, literally, “Greeks.” A sign. Textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the reading “signs.” For the demand of the Jews for a sign see on Matt. 12:38; cf. Talmud Sanhedrin 98a, Soncino ed. p. 665. By Jews and Greeks Paul designated the two prominent classes of his day. The Jews looked for outward physical demonstrations in wonders, miracles, and marvelous supernatural happenings. Greeks. For centuries this race had been distinguished by their intellectual achievements and by their dependence on reason. They believed that the human intellect was able to penetrate into and to comprehend everything.