Matthew 12:39 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

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:

But he answered and said unto them - "when the people were gathered thick together" (Luke 11:20),

An evil and adulterous generation. This latter expression is best explained by Jeremiah 3:20, "Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord." For this was the relationship in which He stood to the covenant people - "I am married unto you" (Jeremiah 3:14).

Seeketh after a sign. In the eye of Jesus this class were but the spokesmen of their generation, the exponents of the reigning spirit of unbelief.

And there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Matthew 12:39

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: