Matthew 12:39

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he answered {G611} and said {G2036} unto them {G846}, An evil {G4190} and {G2532} adulterous {G3428} generation {G1074} seeketh after {G1934} a sign {G4592}; and {G2532} there shall no {G3756} sign {G4592} be given {G1325} to it {G846}, but {G1508} the sign {G4592} of the prophet {G4396} Jonas {G2495}:

Complete Jewish Bible

He replied, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign? No! None will be given to it but the sign of the prophet Yonah.

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.

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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 12:39, Jesus sternly rebukes the scribes and Pharisees who demand a miraculous sign as proof of His authority, labeling them an "evil and adulterous generation." He declares that no sign will be given to them except "the sign of the prophet Jonas," a profound foreshadowing of His own death, burial, and resurrection, which would serve as the ultimate and undeniable testament to His divine identity and mission.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader narrative in [Matthew 12](/matthew/12 "Matthew 12 - Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath") where Jesus consistently demonstrates His divine authority through miracles, teachings, and confrontations with religious leaders. Immediately preceding this statement, in [Matthew 12:38](/matthew/12-38 "Matthew 12:38 - Scribes and Pharisees Demand a Sign"), "certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees" approach Jesus, demanding to see a "sign from thee." This demand comes after Jesus has healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, leading the crowds to wonder if He was the Son of David ([Matthew 12:22-23](/matthew/12-22-23 "Matthew 12:22-23 - Jesus Heals a Blind and Mute Man")). Their request for a sign, therefore, is not born of genuine inquiry but of hardened skepticism and a desire to trap Him, despite overwhelming evidence. Jesus's response in [Matthew 12:39](/matthew/12-39 "Matthew 12:39 - The Sign of Jonah") and the subsequent explanation in [Matthew 12:40](/matthew/12-40 "Matthew 12:40 - Jonah and the Son of Man") directly address their unbelief and point to the definitive sign of His resurrection.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish religious leaders of Jesus's day, particularly the Pharisees and scribes, often sought signs from God as validation of a prophet's claims or the Messiah's identity. This practice was rooted in Old Testament precedents where God often confirmed His messengers through miraculous displays (e.g., Moses and the plagues in [Exodus 7-12](/exodus/7-12 "Exodus 7-12 - The Plagues of Egypt"), Elijah and the fire on Mount Carmel in [1 Kings 18](/1_kings/18 "1 Kings 18 - Elijah on Mount Carmel")). However, their demand here was not for genuine confirmation but for a sign on *their* terms, specifically a spectacular heavenly display, perhaps to fit their preconceived notions of the Messiah's arrival. Jesus's labeling of them as "adulterous" carries significant Old Testament weight, where Israel's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry and disobedience was often depicted as spiritual adultery (e.g., [Hosea 1-3](/hosea/1-3 "Hosea 1-3 - Hosea's Marriage and Israel's Unfaithfulness"), [Jeremiah 3:6-10](/jeremiah/3-6-10 "Jeremiah 3:6-10 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery")). This implies that their demand for a sign stemmed from a deeper spiritual disloyalty and a refusal to recognize God's work already present among them.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several crucial themes within Matthew's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **spiritual blindness and hardened hearts**, demonstrating how even abundant evidence of God's power can be rejected by those unwilling to believe. The "evil and adulterous generation" signifies a profound spiritual unfaithfulness, akin to Israel's historical pattern of covenant breaking, which prevents them from discerning God's truth. Secondly, it underscores the **nature of true faith**, which does not demand signs as a prerequisite but responds to God's revealed truth with humble trust. Jesus's refusal to grant their specific demand emphasizes that faith is not coerced by spectacle. Thirdly, the verse introduces the **ultimate sign of Christ's resurrection**, foreshadowing the central event of Christian faith. By pointing to "the sign of the prophet Jonas," Jesus redirects their focus from immediate, superficial signs to the profound, redemptive act that would definitively prove His messianic claims and divine authority, as further explained in [Matthew 12:40](/matthew/12-40 "Matthew 12:40 - The Sign of Jonah Explained"). Finally, it touches upon the theme of **divine judgment on unbelief**, as Jesus's refusal to cater to their demands serves as a pronouncement of their spiritual condition and the consequences of their persistent rejection of Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **evil (Greek, _ponērós'_):** This word describes something inherently bad, morally corrupt, or wicked. It refers to the internal disposition and character of the generation, indicating a deep-seated depravity that manifests in their actions and demands. It suggests a harmful influence, distinguishing it from mere badness and pointing to active malevolence or culpability in their spiritual state.
* **adulterous (Greek, _moichalís'_):** While literally referring to physical infidelity, in this context, it carries a profound spiritual meaning. It signifies unfaithfulness to God, depicting the generation's breach of their covenant relationship with Him. This echoes Old Testament prophetic language where Israel's idolatry and turning away from God were consistently portrayed as spiritual adultery, highlighting a betrayal of their sacred vows to the Lord.
* **generation (Greek, _geneá'_):** This term refers not merely to a chronological period but to the people living within that period, characterized by a shared disposition or spiritual state. Here, it denotes the contemporary Jewish people, particularly their religious leadership, who collectively exhibited the "evil and adulterous" qualities Jesus describes. It emphasizes a collective spiritual condition rather than just individual actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he answered and said unto them":** This introductory clause sets the scene for Jesus's direct response to the scribes and Pharisees' demand for a sign. It highlights His authoritative posture and the intentionality of His forthcoming rebuke.
* **"An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign;":** This is Jesus's scathing indictment of His interlocutors. He exposes their spiritual depravity ("evil") and their profound unfaithfulness to God ("adulterous"), which underlies their demand for a sign. Their "seeking" is not a humble search for truth but a demanding, craving for a spectacle on their own terms, indicative of their unbelief despite the many signs already displayed.
* **"and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:":** This declares Jesus's refusal to cater to their demands for a sign on their terms. He emphatically states that no *other* sign will be given to this particular generation, except for one specific, future sign: "the sign of the prophet Jonas." This cryptic statement serves as a powerful prophecy, redirecting their attention from the present miracles to the ultimate, definitive sign of His death, burial, and resurrection, which would parallel Jonah's experience in the belly of the great fish.

#### Literary Devices
[Matthew 12:39](/matthew/12-39 "Matthew 12:39 - The Sign of Jonah") is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological weight. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, as Jesus labels the generation "adulterous." This is not a literal accusation of marital infidelity but a powerful spiritual metaphor for their unfaithfulness to God, echoing Old Testament prophetic language where Israel's idolatry was likened to a wife betraying her husband (e.g., [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - Jerusalem's Adultery")). This metaphor underscores the severity of their spiritual condition and their breach of covenant. **Symbolism** is also central, with "the sign of the prophet Jonas" serving as a profound symbol of Jesus's impending death, burial, and resurrection. Jonah's three days and nights in the fish's belly ([Jonah 1:17](/jonah/1-17 "Jonah 1:17 - Jonah in the Fish")) become a prefigurement, a type, of Christ's time in the tomb. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in Jesus's response; the very people demanding a sign are told they will receive one, but it will be a sign they ultimately reject—the resurrection—which will be the definitive proof of His identity, yet it will lead to their condemnation rather than their belief. This also functions as **Foreshadowing**, pointing directly to the pivotal event of the Gospel narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological implications of [Matthew 12:39](/matthew/12-39 "Matthew 12:39 - Jesus Rebukes the Demand for a Sign") are profound, revealing God's response to hardened unbelief and the nature of true divine revelation. Jesus's refusal to provide a sign on demand underscores that faith is not coerced by spectacle but is a response to God's self-revelation. The "evil and adulterous generation" highlights the spiritual condition of those who, despite witnessing God's power, remain unfaithful to His covenant and seek to dictate the terms of His manifestation. The ultimate sign, the resurrection, is presented as the definitive proof, not for those who demand it out of unbelief, but for all who would truly seek God. This passage asserts that the most significant divine intervention is not a fleeting miracle but the redemptive work of Christ, culminating in His triumph over death.

* [Deuteronomy 6:16](/deuteronomy/6-16 "Descriptive Title")
* [1 Corinthians 1:22-24](/1_corinthians/1-22-24 "Descriptive Title")
* [John 20:29](/john/20-29 "Descriptive Title")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Matthew 12:39](/matthew/12-39 "Matthew 12:39 - Reflecting on the Sign of Jonah") serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary faith. It challenges us to examine the posture of our hearts: do we genuinely seek God, or do we demand specific proofs and experiences before we commit to Him? Jesus's rebuke of the "evil and adulterous generation" reminds us that true faith is not about dictating terms to God or requiring a continuous stream of spectacular signs. Instead, it is about humbly responding to the revelation He has already provided. For believers today, the ultimate sign has already been given—the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which stands as the cornerstone of Christian faith and the definitive proof of His divine authority. This verse calls us to cultivate a faith that trusts in God's revealed truth, embraces the finished work of Christ, and seeks to live in faithfulness to Him, rather than constantly seeking external validation or demanding further proof. It encourages us to move beyond a superficial desire for spectacle and to embrace a deep, abiding trust in God's sovereign plan and His ultimate revelation in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like the Pharisees, be seeking signs or proofs from God rather than trusting in His revealed truth?**
* **How does Jesus's description of an "adulterous generation" challenge my understanding of faithfulness to God in my daily life?**
* **What does "the sign of the prophet Jonas" mean for my faith today, and how does it strengthen my conviction in Christ's resurrection?**
* **Am I more prone to demand evidence from God or to rest in the evidence He has already abundantly provided through Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus call them an "evil and adulterous generation"?**

Answer: Jesus called them "evil" (Greek: _ponērós'_) because their hearts were morally corrupt and actively hostile towards God's truth, despite His clear demonstrations of power. The term "adulterous" (Greek: _moichalís'_) is a profound spiritual indictment. In the Old Testament, Israel's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry and disobedience was frequently depicted as spiritual adultery, a breach of their covenant marriage to Yahweh (e.g., [Jeremiah 3:6-10](/jeremiah/3-6-10 "Jeremiah 3:6-10 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery"), [Hosea 1-3](/hosea/1-3 "Hosea 1-3 - Hosea's Marriage to Gomer")). By using this term, Jesus accused them not merely of physical infidelity but of a deep-seated spiritual disloyalty and a rejection of their covenant relationship with God, even as they outwardly claimed religious devotion. Their demand for a sign was a symptom of this deeper unfaithfulness.

**What is "the sign of the prophet Jonas" that Jesus refers to?**

Answer: Jesus explains "the sign of the prophet Jonas" in the very next verse, [Matthew 12:40](/matthew/12-40 "Matthew 12:40 - Jonah and the Son of Man"). He states, "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." This refers to His own death, burial, and resurrection. Just as Jonah's miraculous survival after three days in the great fish's belly was a sign to the Ninevites ([Jonah 3:1-5](/jonah/3-1-5 "Jonah 3:1-5 - Jonah Preaches to Nineveh")), Jesus's resurrection after three days in the tomb would be the ultimate, definitive sign of His divine authority and messianic identity. It was the only sign He would give to this unbelieving generation, a sign that would validate all His claims.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "sign of the prophet Jonas" is the quintessential Christ-centered fulfillment in [Matthew 12:39](/matthew/12-39 "Matthew 12:39 - The Sign of Jonah Fulfilled"). Jesus's prophetic declaration points directly to His own death, burial, and glorious resurrection as the ultimate and most profound sign of His Messiahship and divine power. Just as Jonah's miraculous emergence from the great fish served as a sign to the Ninevites ([Jonah 1:17](/jonah/1-17 "Jonah 1:17 - Jonah in the Fish")), so too would Christ's triumph over death on the third day be the definitive proof for all humanity. This event, central to the Gospel message, demonstrates Jesus's authority over sin and death, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and establishing the foundation of the New Covenant. The resurrection is not merely a historical event but the very power of God unto salvation for all who believe ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection"), [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel of Christ's Death and Resurrection")). It is the sign that validates every claim Jesus made, offering hope and eternal life to an "evil and adulterous generation" that, through faith, can be reconciled to God and transformed by the power of His resurrected Son ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - New Life in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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

¶ 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.

Luke 11:32

The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas [is] here.

Isaiah 57:3

¶ But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.

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.

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.