Where ya been?

Matthew 12:38 - Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."

I wonder if these Pharisees and teachers of the law were new to the area. Had they never seen Jesus before? Was their timing (earlier) just bad? How could they not have seen one of his miracles if they were amongst that group who always seemed to be hanging around?

Or were they going to ask for some particular kind of miracle? Was it some sign that they thought would prove something about Jesus one way or the other?

I wonder if any of them understood the sign of Jonah that Jesus did give them.