Matthew 12:39
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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When Jesus calls this generation "adulterous," he's not just saying they're morally corrupt; he's highlighting their spiritual unfaithfulness to God, like a spouse breaking their marriage vows. Their demand for another sign, even after seeing so many, shows they're looking for an excuse to disbelieve rather than genuinely seeking truth.
Just before this, messengers from John the Baptist asked Jesus if he was the one they were waiting for, and Jesus pointed to his works as evidence. Now, some religious leaders, fueled by their own skepticism, are demanding Jesus perform a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. Jesus calls them an "evil and adulterous generation," implying their unfaithfulness to God, and declares that the only sign they will receive is the sign of Jonah—a reference to his own death, burial, and resurrection.
The religious leaders demanded a sign, a specific kind of supernatural event. But Jesus saw their request differently.
The scribes and Pharisees weren't just asking for any miracle; they were looking for a sign from heaven to validate Jesus' authority. They had already witnessed many of Jesus' signs – healings, exorcisms, and more. Yet, they were unsatisfied, seeking further proof. Jesus calls this a 'sign seeking' generation, implying their desire wasn't for genuine belief, but for an excuse to disbelieve if their specific demand wasn't met. He declares that no such sign would be given to them, not because He lacked power, but because their hearts were hardened and unfaithful, looking for a way out rather than a way in.
Jesus uses a powerful, almost shocking term to describe this generation. What makes their condition so grave?
Jesus calls them an 'evil and adulterous generation.' This isn't just about marital infidelity; it's a deep spiritual metaphor. In the Old Testament, God’s relationship with Israel was often depicted as a marriage covenant. When Israel turned away from God to idols or other nations, it was called spiritual adultery. This generation, by rejecting God's Son and demanding signs rather than trusting in His evident works, was breaking their covenant faithfulness. Their 'adultery' was their unfaithfulness to God, their spiritual betrayal, and their corrupted loyalty.
The only sign Jesus offers is profoundly significant, pointing forward to His own future victory.
Jesus points to 'the sign of the prophet Jonah.' What was that sign? Jonah was swallowed by a great fish and was in its belly for three days and three nights before being vomited onto dry land (Jonah 1:17-2:10). Jesus uses this as a powerful foreshadowing. He states, 'For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth' (Matthew 12:40). The sign isn't just a story; it's a prophetic declaration of His death, burial, and resurrection. This resurrection would be the ultimate sign, proving His divine authority in a way that even a hardened, unfaithful generation ought to recognize.
Understand the original words
ponēros · Greek Adjective
Morally corrupt or wicked in nature; it describes a state of being that is opposed to God's character and will.
moichalis · Greek Adjective
Often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe unfaithfulness to God, particularly when His people pursue idols or turn away from their covenant relationship with Him.
Jesus' response highlights a deep spiritual blindness: the generation he addresses has witnessed God's power and love through His miracles, yet demands more. They are spiritually 'adulterous,' unfaithful to God, and refuse to see the profound sign already before them—Jesus himself, who will rise from the dead, just as Jonah was preserved to preach repentance.
c. 786 BC
Jonah's Ministry to Nineveh
The prophet Jonah is sent by God to warn the great Assyrian city of Nineveh of its impending destruction due to its wickedness. The Ninevites repent, and God spares the city.
Throughout Old Testament Period
Israel's Covenant Faithlessness
The relationship between God and Israel is often described as a marriage covenant. Throughout their history, Israel repeatedly breaks this covenant through idolatry and disobedience, leading prophets to call them 'adulterous'.
c. 1st Century AD
Jesus' Ministry and Miracles
Jesus performs numerous miracles, healing the sick, casting out demons, and teaching with authority. These acts are meant as signs of his divine identity and the coming of God's kingdom.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus Confronts Skeptics
In response to demands for more 'signs' from religious leaders who are unconvinced by his powerful deeds, Jesus declares that this 'evil and adulterous generation' will only receive the sign of the prophet Jonah.
This passage sets up the initial calling and mission of Jonah, which Jesus directly references as the 'sign' to be given to the adulterous generation. It highlights the prophet's reluctant obedience and the Ninevites' subsequent repentance.
Jonah 3:4-10This section details the repentance of the Ninevites after Jonah's message, a contrast Jesus uses to condemn the current generation's hardness of heart. The Ninevites, a foreign and pagan people, responded to Jonah's sign, while the chosen people rejected Jesus' signs.
Matthew 16:1-4Here, the Pharisees and Sadducees again demand a sign from Jesus, mirroring the demand in Matthew 12. Jesus rebukes them similarly, calling them an 'evil and adulterous generation' and stating that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah.
Hosea 2:2-5This passage in Hosea uses the metaphor of marital unfaithfulness to describe Israel's spiritual adultery with idols. This strongly echoes Jesus' accusation of an 'adulterous generation,' highlighting their unfaithfulness to God.
1 Corinthians 1:22Paul speaks to the Gentile Corinthian church about the Jews requiring signs, contrasting it with the Greeks seeking wisdom. This shows the ongoing theme of Jewish leaders demanding signs, a practice Jesus confronts directly in Matthew 12:39.
vincentMatthew 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:"
Adulterous (μοιχαλὶς)A very strong and graphic expression, founded upon the familiar Hebrew representation of the relation of God's people to him under the figure of marriage. See Psalm 73:27; Isaiah 57:3 sqq.; Isaiah 62:5; Ezekiel 23:27. Hence idolatry and intercourse with Gentiles were described as adultery; an…
barnesMatthew 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:"
An evil and adulterous generation - The relation of the Jews to God was often represented as a marriage contract - God as the husband, and the Jewish people as the wife. See Isaiah 57:3; Hosea 3:1; Ezekiel 16:15. Hence, their apostasy and idolatry are often represented as adultery. This is the meaning, probably, h…
When Jesus calls this generation "adulterous," he's not just saying they're morally corrupt; he's highlighting their spiritual unfaithfulness to God, like a spouse breaking their marriage vows. Their demand for another sign, even after seeing so many, shows they're looking for an excuse to disbelieve rather than genuinely seeking truth.
Just before this, messengers from John the Baptist asked Jesus if he was the one they were waiting for, and Jesus pointed to his works as evidence. Now, some religious leaders, fueled by their own skepticism, are demanding Jesus perform a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. Jesus calls them an "evil and adulterous generation," implying their unfaithfulness to God, and declares that the only sign they will receive is the sign of Jonah—a reference to his own death, burial, and resurrection.
Just before this, messengers from John the Baptist asked Jesus if he was the one they were waiting for, and Jesus pointed to his works as evidence. Now, some religious leaders, fueled by their own skepticism, are demanding Jesus perform a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. Jesus calls them an "evil and adulterous generation," implying their unfaithfulness to God, and declares that the only sign they will receive is the sign of Jonah—a reference to his own death, burial, and resurrection.
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c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and buried, spending three days and three nights in the earth, mirroring Jonah's time in the great fish. His resurrection serves as the ultimate sign validating his claims.
"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." — When Jesus calls this generation "adulterous," he's not just saying they're morally corrupt; he's highlighting their spiritual unfaithfulness to God, like a spouse breaking their marriage vows. Their…
