Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. New Living Translation But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. English Standard Version But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Berean Standard Bible Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Berean Literal Bible 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. King James Bible 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: New King James Version But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. New American Standard Bible But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign; and so no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet; NASB 1995 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; NASB 1977 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign shall be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; Legacy Standard Bible But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation eagerly seeks for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; Amplified Bible But He replied and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation [that is morally unfaithful to God] craves and demands a [miraculous] sign; but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah; Berean Annotated Bible Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah (dove). Christian Standard Bible He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Holman Christian Standard Bible But He answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. American Standard Version 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 Jonah the prophet: Contemporary English Version But Jesus replied: You want a sign because you are evil and won't believe! But the only sign you will get is the sign of the prophet Jonah. English Revised Version 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 Jonah the prophet: GOD'S WORD® Translation He responded, "The people of an evil and unfaithful era look for a miraculous sign. But the only sign they will get is the sign of the prophet Jonah. Good News Translation "How evil and godless are the people of this day!" Jesus exclaimed. "You ask me for a miracle? No! The only miracle you will be given is the miracle of the prophet Jonah. International Standard Version But he replied to them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign. Yet no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah, NET Bible But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. New Heart English Bible But he answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. Webster's Bible Translation But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh for a sign, and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. Weymouth New Testament "Wicked and faithless generation!" He replied, "they clamour for a sign, but none shall be given to them except the sign of the Prophet Jonah. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleJesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. World English Bible But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd He answering said to them, “A generation, evil and adulterous, seeks a sign, and a sign will not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet; Berean Literal Bible 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. Young's Literal Translation And he answering said to them, 'A generation, evil and adulterous, doth seek a sign, and a sign shall not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet; Smith's Literal Translation And he having answered, said to them, An evil generation and an adulteress seeks a sign; and no sign shall be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWho answering said to them: An evil and adulterous generation seeketh a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. Catholic Public Domain Version And answering, he said to them: “An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign. But a sign will not be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah. New American Bible He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. New Revised Standard Version But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation wants a sign; and no sign will be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But he answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign and a sign will not be given to it except the sign of Jonah the Prophet. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut he answered and said to them: A wicked and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; and no sign shall be given to it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet. Godbey New Testament He responding, said to them, Haweis New Testament But he answered and said unto them, A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh a sign; and no sign shall be given it, but the sign of Jonah the prophet: Mace New Testament but he answered them, this wicked degenerate race demand a miracle; but no other miracle shall they have, except that of the prophet Jonas. Weymouth New Testament "Wicked and faithless generation!" He replied, "they clamour for a sign, but none shall be given to them except the sign of the Prophet Jonah. Worrell New Testament And He, answering, said to them, Worsley New Testament but He replied and said unto them, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Sign of Jonah38Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39 Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.… Cross References Jesus replied, Matthew 21:24 “I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied, “and if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. John 18:34 “Are you saying this on your own,” Jesus asked, “or did others tell you about Me?” “A wicked and adulterous generation 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. 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.” Luke 11:29 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. demands a sign, Matthew 16:1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. Luke 11:16 And others tested Him by demanding a sign from heaven. John 6:30 So they asked Him, “What sign then will You perform, so that we may see it and believe You? What will You do? but none will be given it Mark 8:12 Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.” John 4:48 Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” Luke 16:31 Then Abraham said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Luke 11:30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation. Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish. Jonah 2:1 From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God, John 2:18-22 On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?” / Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” … Treasury of Scripture But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: adulterous. Isaiah 57:3 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. no sign. Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. Luke 11:29,30 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet… Jump to Previous Adulterous Clamour Craves Evil Except Faithless False. Generation Jonah Jonas Miraculous Prophet Seeketh Seeks Sign WickedJump to Next Adulterous Clamour Craves Evil Except Faithless False. Generation Jonah Jonas Miraculous Prophet Seeketh Seeks Sign WickedMatthew 12 1. Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,3. by scripture, 9. by reason, 13. and by a miracle. 22. He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute; 24. and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub, 32. he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven. 36. Account shall be made of idle words. 38. He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign, 46. and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother. Jesus replied In this passage, Jesus is responding to the Pharisees and teachers of the law who were challenging Him. His response is authoritative, reflecting His role as a teacher and prophet. This interaction highlights the tension between Jesus and the religious leaders of His time, who often questioned His authority and sought to test Him. A wicked and adulterous generation Demands a sign But none will be given it Except the sign of the prophet Jonah Persons / Places / Events 1. JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and scribes who are demanding a sign from Him to prove His authority and divinity. 2. Pharisees and Scribes Religious leaders of the time who often challenged Jesus and His teachings. They represent the "wicked and adulterous generation" seeking a sign. 3. Jonah An Old Testament prophet whose experience in the belly of a great fish for three days and nights prefigures Jesus' death and resurrection. 4. The Sign of Jonah Refers to the miraculous event of Jonah's deliverance, which Jesus uses as a metaphor for His own resurrection. 5. Generation The people of Jesus' time, particularly those who were skeptical and demanded miraculous signs as proof of His messianic claims. Teaching Points Faith Over SignsJesus emphasizes that true faith does not rely on miraculous signs but on trust in God's word and promises. Believers are called to trust in Jesus' resurrection as the ultimate sign of His authority and divinity. Repentance and Obedience The reference to Jonah serves as a call to repentance. Just as Nineveh repented at Jonah's preaching, so should we respond to Jesus' message with repentance and obedience. Understanding Jesus' Mission The sign of Jonah points to the core of Jesus' mission—His death and resurrection. Believers should focus on the significance of the resurrection as the foundation of their faith. Avoiding Spiritual Adultery The term "adulterous generation" warns against spiritual unfaithfulness. Believers are encouraged to remain faithful to God, avoiding the temptation to seek after signs and wonders. Recognizing the Signs of the Times Jesus' rebuke serves as a reminder to discern the spiritual signs of the times, understanding God's work in the world and aligning our lives accordingly. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Matthew 12:39?2. How does Matthew 12:39 challenge our desire for signs over faith? 3. What is the "sign of Jonah" mentioned in Matthew 12:39? 4. How can we apply Matthew 12:39 to modern-day skepticism about faith? 5. How does Matthew 12:39 connect to the resurrection of Jesus? 6. In what ways can we cultivate faith without seeking miraculous signs? 7. What does Matthew 12:39 mean by "an evil and adulterous generation" seeking a sign? 8. How does Matthew 12:39 challenge the need for physical evidence of faith? 9. Why does Jesus refuse to give a sign in Matthew 12:39? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 12? 11. How does Jonah’s miraculous rescue align or conflict with other biblical miracles, potentially raising doubts about consistency? (Jonah 2; Matthew 12:39–41) 12. How could Jonah physically survive inside a fish for three days without being digested or suffocating? (Jonah 2:1) 13. Matthew 12:39–40: If Jesus parallels his time in the tomb to Jonah’s “three days and three nights,” how does the typical Friday-to-Sunday timeline align with a literal 72-hour period? 14. Why was Jesus dead for exactly three days? What Does Matthew 12:39 Mean Jesus replied“Jesus answered, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign…’ ” (Matthew 12:39a) • The religious leaders had just asked Him for a miraculous proof of His authority (Matthew 12:38). • Jesus’ immediate reply shows He reads hearts, not just words (John 2:24–25; Luke 5:22). • His response sets the tone: He is not on trial before human courts; rather, humanity stands tested before Him (John 3:19–21). A wicked and adulterous generation • “Wicked” points to moral rebellion (Isaiah 5:20). • “Adulterous” recalls Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness, often pictured as spiritual adultery (Hosea 3:1; James 4:4). • Jesus applies these charged terms to the generation standing before Him—people surrounded by Scripture and miracles yet refusing the Messiah (John 1:11). • The description warns any era that familiarity with religion does not equal faith (2 Timothy 3:5). demands a sign • They already had abundant signs: healings, exorcisms, and fulfilled prophecy (Matthew 11:4–5; Isaiah 35:5–6). • Their demand was not for light but leverage; they wanted a spectacle to satisfy curiosity or to trap Jesus (Luke 11:16; Mark 8:11). • Repeatedly, Scripture shows that unbelief can mask itself as intellectual caution while actually resisting surrender (John 12:37–40). but none will be given it • Jesus refuses to perform miracles on command (Luke 23:8–9). • Miracles in Scripture serve God’s purposes, not human manipulation (Exodus 7:8–12; Acts 8:18–23). • Denial of further signs underscores accountability for the light already received (Hebrews 2:3–4). except the sign of the prophet Jonah • Jonah spent “three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish” (Matthew 12:40), foreshadowing Jesus’ burial and resurrection. • The resurrection is the ultimate sign—public, historical, and sufficient (Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3–8). • Just as Nineveh repented at Jonah’s brief message (Jonah 3:4–5), the empty tomb calls every listener to repentance (Acts 17:30–31). • Refusing this sign leaves no further evidence to offer (Hebrews 10:28–29). summary Matthew 12:39 confronts unbelief that hides behind demands for proof. Jesus labels such hearts “wicked and adulterous” because they spurn covenant loyalty while craving spectacle. He withholds additional signs, directing all eyes to the single, decisive miracle—His resurrection, prefigured by Jonah. That event seals His identity, validates His message, and summons every generation to repent and believe. (39) An evil and adulterous generation.--The true relation between Israel and Jehovah had been represented by the prophets as that of the wife to her husband (Jeremiah 3; Ezekiel 16, 23; Hosea 1, 2). The adulterous generation was therefore one that was unfaithful to its Lord--demanding a sign, instead of finding sufficient proofs of faithfulness and love in what He had already done.There shall no sign be given to it.--The words seem at first to place our Lord's miracles of healing outside the category of signs, and yet it was to these that He referred the messengers of the Baptist as proof that the Christ had indeed come (Matthew 11:5). They must, however, be interpreted by the context. One sign and only one, such as they demanded, should be given to those for whom the other notes of Messiahship were insufficient, and that should be the sign of the prophet Jonas. Verse 39. - Of the passages mentioned in the introductory note on vers. 38-42, Matthew 16:4 is verbally identical with the answer of our present verse, except the omission of the words, "the prophet," which occur nowhere else but in this passage. But he answered and said to them, An evil (πονηρά, ch. 6:13, note) and adulterous generation. However frequent the sin of adultery may then have been, the common metaphorical sense of spiritual unfaithfulness to God and the practical worship of some other than Jehovah seems the more probable here (cf. James 4:4; Revelation 2:20-23). Seeketh after (ἐπιζητεῖ); Matthew 6:32. A sign; but there shall no sign be given to it. In Mark 8:12 our Lord's reply ends here. But the sign of the Prophet Jonas; Jonah the prophet (Revised Version). In Matthew 16:4 and Luke 11:29 "the prophet" has been added in the Received Text.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek [Jesus] replied,ἀποκριθεὶς (apokritheis) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak. “A wicked πονηρὰ (ponēra) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. adulterous μοιχαλὶς (moichalis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3428: A prolonged form of the feminine of moichos; an adulteress. generation Γενεὰ (Genea) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 1074: From genos; a generation; by implication, an age. demands ἐπιζητεῖ (epizētei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1934: To seek after, desire, search for, make inquiries about. From epi and zeteo; to search for; intensively, to demand, to crave. a sign, σημεῖον (sēmeion) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 4592: Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally. [but] καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. none οὐ (ou) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. will be given δοθήσεται (dothēsetai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. it αὐτῇ (autē) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Feminine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. except εἰ (ei) Conjunction Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. the τὸ (to) Article - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sign σημεῖον (sēmeion) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular Strong's 4592: Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of semaino; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally. of the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. prophet προφήτου (prophētou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 4396: From a compound of pro and phemi; a foreteller; by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet. Jonah. Ἰωνᾶ (Iōna) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2495: (Hebrew), Jonah, the Hebrew prophet. Of Hebrew origin; Jonas, the name of two Israelites. Links Matthew 12:39 NIVMatthew 12:39 NLT Matthew 12:39 ESV Matthew 12:39 NASB Matthew 12:39 KJV Matthew 12:39 BibleApps.com Matthew 12:39 Biblia Paralela Matthew 12:39 Chinese Bible Matthew 12:39 French Bible Matthew 12:39 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 12:39 But he answered them An evil (Matt. Mat Mt) |
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