Matthew 16:4

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

A wicked {G4190} and {G2532} adulterous {G3428} generation {G1074} seeketh after {G1934} a sign {G4592}; and {G2532} there shall no {G3756} sign {G4592} be given {G1325} unto it {G846}, but {G1508} the sign {G4592} of the prophet {G4396} Jonas {G2495}. And {G2532} he left {G2641} them {G846}, and departed {G565}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A wicked and adulterous generation is asking for a sign? It will certainly not be given a sign -- except the sign of Yonah!" With that he left them and went off.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of Jonah. And he left them, and departed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 16:4, Jesus sternly rebukes the Pharisees and Sadducees who demand a miraculous sign from Him to validate His authority. He condemns them as a "wicked and adulterous generation" for their spiritual blindness and persistent unbelief, declaring that the only sign they will receive is "the sign of the prophet Jonas." This pronouncement underscores the sufficiency of His impending death, burial, and resurrection as the ultimate divine authentication, and culminates with Jesus's symbolic departure from those who willfully reject the truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a confrontational encounter between Jesus and the religious leaders. In [Matthew 16:1](/matthew/16-1 "Matthew 16:1 - Pharisees and Sadducees demand a sign"), the Pharisees and Sadducees approach Jesus, "desiring that he would shew them a sign from heaven." This demand is made despite Jesus having already performed numerous public miracles—healing the sick, casting out demons, and miraculously feeding thousands on multiple occasions (e.g., [Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding of the Five Thousand") and [Matthew 15:32-39](/matthew/15-32-39 "Matthew 15:32-39 - Feeding of the Four Thousand")). Jesus first challenges their ability to discern spiritual signs, noting their skill in interpreting weather patterns but their failure to understand "the signs of the times" ([Matthew 16:2-3](/matthew/16-2-3 "Matthew 16:2-3 - Discerning the Signs of the Times")). His declaration in [Matthew 16:4](/matthew/16-4 "Matthew 16:4 - The Sign of Jonah") serves as His definitive response and a profound indictment of their spiritual obstinacy, leading directly to His departure from them.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Pharisees and Sadducees represented the dominant religious and political factions in Judea during Jesus's ministry. The Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, while the Sadducees, primarily aristocratic priests, rejected oral law and believed only in the Pentateuch, denying the resurrection, angels, and spirits. Both groups, despite their theological differences, united in their opposition to Jesus, viewing Him as a threat to their authority and established order. Their demand for a "sign from heaven" was not a genuine search for truth but a challenge, a test designed to trap or discredit Him, perhaps seeking a spectacular, undeniable display of power that would align with their preconceived notions of a Messiah, or conversely, condemn Him as a false prophet if He failed to produce one. This demand reflects a common expectation for divine authentication in that era, yet it was often coupled with an unwillingness to accept the evidence already presented.
* **Key Themes:** This passage powerfully highlights several critical themes prevalent throughout the Gospels. Firstly, it exposes the **spiritual blindness and unbelief** of the religious elite, who, despite witnessing overwhelming evidence of Jesus's divine power and authority, remained hardened in their hearts and refused to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. Their demand for a sign, rather than indicating genuine inquiry, revealed their deep-seated rejection. Secondly, it emphasizes the **sufficiency of Christ's revelation**, particularly through His ultimate act of redemption. Jesus's declaration that "no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas" points to His death, burial, and resurrection as the definitive, all-sufficient sign, rendering any further demand for proof redundant and indicative of unbelief (as further elaborated in [Matthew 12:38-42](/matthew/12-38-42 "Matthew 12:38-42 - The Sign of Jonah and the Queen of the South")). Finally, Jesus's act of leaving them underscores the **consequences of persistent rejection** of divine truth, symbolizing a turning away from those who willfully refuse to believe, a theme seen elsewhere when Jesus laments over Jerusalem's unbelief in [Matthew 23:37-39](/matthew/23-37-39 "Matthew 23:37-39 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wicked (Greek, _ponērós'_):** This term signifies active evil, malice, and moral depravity that is harmful in its effect or influence. Unlike terms that describe inherent badness, _ponērós_ points to the destructive impact of one's actions and character. Here, it describes a generation whose spiritual state is not merely flawed but actively hostile and damaging in its rejection of God's truth, leading to culpable, vicious behavior.
* **adulterous (Greek, _moichalís'_):** While literally referring to physical infidelity, in this context, _moichalís_ carries a profound spiritual meaning. It describes a generation that is unfaithful to God, akin to Israel's spiritual idolatry and covenant-breaking in the Old Testament (e.g., [Jeremiah 3:8](/jeremiah/3-8 "Jeremiah 3:8 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery") or [Hosea 1:2](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea 1:2 - Hosea's Marriage as a Sign of Israel's Adultery")). The Pharisees and Sadducees, despite their outward religious observances, were spiritually unfaithful by rejecting God's Son and seeking signs rather than embracing the divine revelation already present.
* **sign (Greek, _sēmeîon'_):** This word denotes an indication, token, or wonder, especially one that is ceremonial or supernatural. It refers to a miraculous event or phenomenon intended to authenticate a message, a messenger, or a divine work. The religious leaders were demanding a _sēmeîon_ from heaven to validate Jesus, but Jesus points them to a different, ultimate _sēmeîon_—His own resurrection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign":** Jesus identifies the spiritual condition of the religious leaders and their contemporaries. "Wicked" (_ponērós_) speaks to their active malice and harmful opposition to God's will, while "adulterous" (_moichalís_) signifies their spiritual unfaithfulness, like a spouse who has betrayed their covenant vows to God. Their "seeking after a sign" is not a sincere quest for truth but a demanding, craving insistence for external validation, revealing their unbelief despite abundant evidence.
* **"and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.":** This is Jesus's definitive refusal to provide any further miraculous displays to satisfy their unbelieving demands. The only "sign" they will receive is the "sign of the prophet Jonas," a direct reference to Jonah's three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish (as explained in [Jonah 1:17](/jonah/1-17 "Jonah 1:17 - Jonah in the Fish's Belly")). Jesus implicitly prophesies His own death, burial, and resurrection—the ultimate and conclusive proof of His Messiahship and divine authority, which will be revealed not to satisfy their curiosity, but as God's sovereign act of redemption.
* **"And he left them, and departed.":** This concluding phrase describes Jesus's immediate and decisive action. His physical "leaving" and "departing" from the Pharisees and Sadducees is a powerful symbolic act. It signifies His withdrawal from those who had hardened their hearts against Him, underscoring the consequence of their persistent unbelief and spiritual obstinacy. It marks a moment of divine turning away from those who refused to recognize the "signs of the times" and the very presence of God among them.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 16:4 employs several potent literary devices. **Metaphor** is central, particularly in the phrase "adulterous generation." This extends beyond literal infidelity to represent spiritual unfaithfulness and covenant-breaking with God, a common Old Testament motif for Israel's idolatry and rebellion. The "sign of the prophet Jonas" functions as a powerful **prophetic allusion** and **typology**, where Jonah's experience in the fish's belly serves as a direct foreshadowing of Jesus's three days in the tomb and subsequent resurrection. This is a form of **symbolism**, where Jonah's ordeal symbolizes Christ's ultimate victory over death. The stark contrast between the leaders' demand for a sign and Jesus's refusal, offering only the sign of Jonah, creates **irony**; they seek a spectacular display, but the true, most profound sign will be a humble, yet world-altering, act of death and resurrection. Finally, Jesus's immediate action, "And he left them, and departed," serves as a form of **dramatic action** or **symbolic gesture**, underscoring the finality of His rejection of their unbelief and the consequences of their spiritual obstinacy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 16:4 is a pivotal verse that encapsulates the tension between divine revelation and human unbelief, highlighting the sufficiency of Christ's work as the ultimate sign. The religious leaders, despite witnessing Jesus's numerous miracles and hearing His authoritative teaching, remained spiritually blind, demanding yet another sign. Jesus's refusal to indulge their demands, offering only "the sign of the prophet Jonas," profoundly shifts the focus from external wonders to the internal, spiritual reality of His death and resurrection. This ultimate sign, though initially hidden, would become the cornerstone of the Christian faith, demonstrating God's power over sin and death and validating Jesus's claims to Messiahship. It underscores that God provides sufficient evidence for faith, but He does not compel belief through endless displays for hardened hearts.

* [John 20:29](/john/20-29 "John 20:29 - Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed")
* [Luke 16:31](/luke/16-31 "Luke 16:31 - If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead")
* [Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 16:4 challenges us to examine the nature of our own faith. Are we, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, constantly demanding new signs or sensational experiences as prerequisites for belief, or do we rest in the abundant revelation God has already provided, supremely in the person and work of Jesus Christ? True faith is not a perpetual quest for external validation but a humble acceptance of the truth revealed in Scripture and confirmed by the Holy Spirit. This verse reminds us that the greatest sign has already been given: the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Our call is to believe in Him, to trust His word, and to live in light of His victory. We must guard against spiritual complacency, a hardened heart, and the danger of rejecting truth when it is clearly presented, lest we, too, find ourselves left in the darkness of our own choosing. This passage serves as a sobering warning that persistent rejection of God's truth can lead to a divine turning away, leaving us in the darkness of our own choosing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "signs" or forms of validation do I tend to seek from God before I am willing to believe or obey?**
* **How does the "sign of the prophet Jonas" (Jesus's death and resurrection) serve as the ultimate and sufficient sign for my faith today?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be exhibiting "spiritual adultery" by prioritizing other things over my faithfulness to God?**
* **What does Jesus's act of "leaving them, and departed" teach me about the consequences of persistent unbelief and spiritual obstinacy?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus call them a "wicked and adulterous generation"?**

Answer: Jesus's description of the generation as "wicked" (Greek: _ponērós_) signifies their active malice and harmful opposition to God's will, not merely passive moral failure. The term "adulterous" (Greek: _moichalís_) extends beyond physical infidelity to denote spiritual unfaithfulness. In Old Testament prophecy, Israel's departure from God and pursuit of idolatry or false security was often depicted as spiritual adultery (e.g., [Jeremiah 3:8](/jeremiah/3-8 "Jeremiah 3:8 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery"), [Hosea 1:2](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea 1:2 - Hosea's Marriage as a Sign of Israel's Adultery")). By calling them "adulterous," Jesus was accusing the religious leaders and their contemporaries of betraying their covenant relationship with God by rejecting His Son, despite the overwhelming evidence of His Messiahship. Their demand for a sign was not a sincere inquiry but a manifestation of their spiritual rebellion and a refusal to acknowledge the truth already before them.

**What is "the sign of the prophet Jonas"?**

Answer: "The sign of the prophet Jonas" refers to Jesus's prophecy of His own death, burial, and resurrection. Just as the prophet Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for "three days and three nights" ([Jonah 1:17](/jonah/1-17 "Jonah 1:17 - Jonah in the Fish's Belly")), Jesus declared that the "Son of Man" would be "three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" ([Matthew 12:40](/matthew/12-40 "Matthew 12:40 - The Sign of Jonah Explained")). This sign, therefore, points directly to the central event of Christian faith: Jesus's crucifixion, His time in the tomb, and His glorious resurrection from the dead. It is the ultimate and sufficient proof of His divine authority, His victory over sin and death, and the validation of His claims to be the Messiah. Jesus offered this singular, profound sign as the only one necessary for a generation that refused to believe based on the many miracles they had already witnessed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 16:4 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the very "sign of the prophet Jonas" that Jesus proclaims. This sign is not merely a historical parallel but a direct prophecy of the central event of the Gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just as Jonah's emergence from the fish signified a miraculous deliverance and a second chance, so too Jesus's resurrection from the grave, after "three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" ([Matthew 12:40](/matthew/12-40 "Matthew 12:40 - The Sign of Jonah Explained")), marks His triumph over sin and death. This resurrection is the ultimate divine validation of His identity as the Son of God ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")) and the cornerstone of the new covenant. It is the definitive proof that He is indeed the promised Messiah, the one who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). The "sign of Jonas" is thus fulfilled in Christ's atoning work on the cross and His glorious resurrection, offering salvation and new life to all who believe, a far greater reality than any mere "sign from heaven" that the unbelieving generation sought. This ultimate sign invites faith, not further demands for proof, and stands as the eternal testimony to God's redemptive plan in Christ ([1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel: Christ Died, Was Buried, Rose Again")).

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 12:39

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:

Matthew 12:40

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.

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 11:30

For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.

Jonah 1:17

Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

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.

Mark 8:12

And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.