Matthew 12:39

Translations

Modern

Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Traditional

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Literal

And answering, He said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.

Latin

Qui respondens ait illis: Generatio mala et adultera signum quærit: et signum non dabitur ei, nisi signum Jonæ prophetæ.

Original

Greek

English

Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Notes

Matthew 12:39–40

To demand a sign shows a lack of faith.

The sign of the prophet Jonah was his "resurrection" from the large fish after three days and nights. It also referred to his preaching (12:41; Luke 11:32). This was similar to the burial, resurrection, and preaching of Jesus. Jesus compared Jonah's experience to what he would experience. He was not predicting the exact timing of his death and resurrection.
Heart of the earth is another way of saying "the grave."

Matthew 12:22–45

The Pharisees, the teachers of religious law, and many people of his generation rejected the Messiah.

Theme notes and profiles

The Pharisees Faith and Good Deeds Miraculous Signs in the Gospel of John The Stone the Builders Rejected

Events

Blind and Dumb Demoniac and Following Discoursec. AD 28

Related verses

Matthew 16:4
A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.
Luke 11:29–32
As the crowds were increasing, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.
James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.
Isaiah 57:3
“But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes!
Mark 8:38
If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Parallels

Jonah 3:1–10 Luke 11:29–32

People

Jonah: Prophet swallowed by fish, preached to Nineveh

Glossary

Adultery Book of Jonah Faith Gospel of Matthew Jonas Miracle Nineveh, Ninevite Sign

Topics

Jesus, the Christ: Rejected Jesus, the Christ: Replies to the Scribes and Pharisees Who Seek a Sign from Him (In Galilee) Jesus, the Christ: Revelations by: His Death and Resurrection Miracles: Demanded by Unbelievers Pharisees: Reject: Christ Prophets: Jonah The Pharisees: Christ: Called, and Evil and Adulterous Generation Titles and Names of the Wicked: Evil and Adulterous Generation

Matthew 12:39

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