(وَإِذَا جَاءَتْهُمْ آيَةٌ) (And when a sign comes to them): The word (sign) here refers to the verses of the Holy Quran, the miracle of the Prophet Mohammad (saws). Allah (swt) describes the words of the Holy Quran as a sign because they all form a unique miracle:
الر ۚ تِلْكَ آيَاتُ الْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ
(Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book) (Yusuf: 1)
They are referred to as (verses) and not mere words to indicate that they include miracles.
(قَالُوا لَن نُّؤْمِنَ حَتَّىٰ نُؤْتَىٰ مِثْلَ مَا أُوتِيَ رُسُلُ اللَّهِ) (they say, “Never will we believe until we are given like that which was given to the messengers of Allah.”): They insisted that they neither will believe, nor do they want to. Walid bin Mug’ira had money, good ancestry, descendants, and prestige; he said: “Why wasn’t the message sent to me?” (they say, “Never will we believe until we are given like that which was given to the messengers of Allah.”): Allah (swt) knows best how to choose His Messengers. No one has the right to assume the signs of Allah (swt) because only He (swt) reveals the miracles. There is a difference between the mercy in the Divine bestowments and the mercy in the Godly bestowments. The mercy of Godly bestowments is given equal to all humans, while the mercy of the Divine bestowments relates to Allah’s (swt) Messages. The Message spreads goodness for everyone, but it does not benefit itself from it. the signs of the benefits are reflected on others. This is why the Prophet (swt) never took anything from charity. Walid bin Mug’ira wanted to be the messenger so that he gains benefits from it for himself. Allah (swt) answers him back saying: (Allah is most knowing of where He places His message).
(سَيُصِيبُ الَّذِينَ أَجْرَمُوا صَغَارٌ عِندَ اللَّهِ ) (There will afflict those who committed crimes debasement before Allah): Debasement is disgrace and humiliation which Allah (swt) will afflict upon the criminals of the time of the Prophet (saws) and upon those who leave His path (swt), those who wish malice for others and goodness for themselves.
(وَعَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَمْكُرُونَ) (and severe punishment for what they used to conspire): Because of the evils and sins they conspired on doing.