The Pharisees and the Sadducees were often at odds with each other concerning doctrine and philosophy, but they had a common link in their skepticism about Jesus. Today they ask Jesus to display his power with a sign from heaven. Christ has already performed numerous miracles, but these men have been blind to the truth; they can’t read the signs of the times. Later, Peter makes what is often called “the good confession,” which is that Jesus is not John the Baptist resurrected or Elijah, but the Messiah. Jesus says that he will build his church on this confession, but those who follow him will have to take up their cross in order to do so.