sēmeion

What it means

A mark or event that points to something beyond itself. Leaders ask Jesus for a sign to prove his authority; he refuses to perform on demand and points instead to Jonah, a sign that comes through death and return.

Range of meaning

• Mark or tokenSomething that identifies, like a signal.
• Miraculous signA wonder that points to God's work.
• OmenA sign of what is coming.

In Matthew

• Chapter 12

  Asked for a sign, he offers only the sign of Jonah (12:38-39).

• Chapter 24

  "What will be the sign of your coming?" (24:3), and false signs and wonders (24:24).