The crowd has been ever-present with Jesus: hanging on his words, marvelling at his miracles, clumping around him, getting in the way.
But today there's something sinister about them. Luke says they were pressing ever closer. Somehow their interest feels dangerous, no longer a sign of how popular Jesus is, more painting a target to make it easier for his enemies to find him.
Jesus seems to react against this negative feel with his words, condemning his generation for their lack of faith, their shallow interest - just waiting to be entertained by another "sign."
Enigmatically, he promises them nothing more than the sign of Jonah. Luke, for reasons best known to himself, leaves out the line of explanation included by Matthew: For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
Did Jesus actually say that? Or did Matthew try and work out for himself what this cryptic sign must have meant? Nobody knows.
There are certainly times when Jesus makes it clear that the crowd don't understand him, don't realise how important or urgent things are. They don't get his parables, they don't think beyond the miracles to wonder who is this who is doing them.
Their curdled thinking seems to have turned him sour.
They've had their chance. Have they missed it for good?
I will be taking a break from blogging for a week or so. Tomorrow is Good Friday, and I will be focussing my thoughts entirely on Jesus, church and family for a few days. See you in April.
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