but Symeon blessed them, and to his mother Mary he said, "This child is destined for the downfall as well as for the rise of many a one in Israel; destined to be a Sign for man's attack ??35 to bring out the secret aims of many a heart. And your own soul will be pierced by a spear."

Others by way of tempting him demanded he should give them a Sign from heaven.

As the crowds were thronging to him, he proceeded to say, "This is an evil generation: it demands a Sign, but no Sign will be given to it except the Sign of Jonah;

for as Jonah was a Sign to the Ninivites, so shall the Son of man be to this generation.

So they asked him, "Teacher, and when will this happen? What will be the sign for this to take place?"