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)
The word "adulterous" here is a powerful metaphor; it means they were unfaithful to God, like a spouse cheating on their partner, having turned away from Him and His covenant. Jesus isn't just saying they were immoral people; he's calling them spiritually unfaithful, seeking superficial proof instead of recognizing the deep faithfulness already shown to them.
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)
The scribes and Pharisees have just questioned Jesus' authority, prompting him to heal a man possessed by a demon and blinded, which he does. They then demand he perform a miraculous sign from heaven to prove himself, but Jesus calls them an evil and unfaithful generation, likening their spiritual adultery to infidelity against God. He declares that no such sign will be given to them, except the sign of the prophet Jonah, which points to his own future death and resurrection.
Jesus calls this generation 'evil and adulterous.' What does he mean by such a strong accusation, and how does it apply to us today?
When Jesus uses the term 'adulterous' for this generation, he's tapping into a deep biblical metaphor.
Faithless Love
In the Old Testament, God's relationship with Israel is often pictured as a marriage. God is the faithful husband, and Israel is his wife. When Israel turned away from God to worship idols or follow other nations, it was seen as spiritual adultery – a betrayal of their covenant vows.
More Than Metaphor?
While the primary meaning here is spiritual unfaithfulness, the commentators also note there's evidence that literal adultery was also rampant in that society. Either way, it points to a people who had broken their commitment, not just to God, but in their relationships and moral fabric.
Our Own Betrayals
Are we any different? We might not worship physical idols, but do we compromise our commitment to God for lesser things? When we chase after power, comfort, or approval instead of seeking God's will, we are, in a sense, being unfaithful.
This generation wants a sign, but Jesus says only one will be given – the sign of Jonah. What's so special about Jonah?
Jesus points to the prophet Jonah as the sign this generation will receive. This isn't just any sign; it's loaded with meaning.
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Jonah's Miraculous Survival
Remember Jonah? He was swallowed by a great fish and miraculously survived for three days and three nights inside it before being vomited onto dry land. This incredible preservation was the sign that proved God had sent him.
Jesus' Resurrection Parallel
Jesus draws a direct parallel: just as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites by his survival and subsequent preaching, Jesus will be a sign to this generation through his own death and resurrection. He will be in 'the heart of the earth' (like Jonah in the fish) for three days and three nights, only to emerge alive. This resurrection will be the ultimate proof of his divine authority.
A Call to Repentance
Crucially, Jonah's sign led the Ninevites to repentance. Jesus implies that his own sign – his resurrection – should similarly lead people to turn from their spiritual adultery and evil ways. However, this generation, like many before them, would harden their hearts even to this profound sign.
Why wouldn't Jesus just give them the 'supernatural fireworks' they wanted?
The scribes and Pharisees demanded a sign from heaven, wanting Jesus to prove himself in a way they dictated. But Jesus’ response reveals a deeper truth about faith.
Already Sufficient Signs
Jesus had already performed numerous miracles – healing the sick, casting out demons, even raising the dead. These were powerful signs pointing to his identity. The problem wasn't a lack of evidence; it was their unwillingness to accept it.
Seeking More Than Proof
Their demand for a sign wasn't a genuine desire for truth, but a way to find fault and justify their disbelief. They were looking for a loophole, an excuse not to follow Jesus. They sought signs 'in addition' (as one commentator notes), wanting more and different signs, rather than acknowledging the ones already given.
True Faith Looks Deeper
Jesus offers the sign of Jonah – his resurrection – not as a spectacle to satisfy demanding critics, but as the ultimate, definitive sign for those with open hearts. True faith isn't about getting exactly what you demand; it's about recognizing God's revelation even when it doesn't fit your expectations.
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 connects the spiritual unfaithfulness of his generation to the Old Testament concept of adultery against God, and points to his own resurrection as the ultimate sign, mirroring Jonah's miraculous survival.
c. 780 BC
Jonah Preaches to Nineveh
The prophet Jonah is sent by God to warn the wicked city of Nineveh to repent. After being swallowed by a great fish and miraculously surviving for three days and nights, Jonah's preaching leads the Ninevites to a profound repentance.
c. 740-680 BC
Isaiah and Hosea Prophesy
Prophets like Isaiah and Hosea speak to Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness, often using the metaphor of marriage to describe God's covenant relationship with His people and Israel's 'adultery' through idolatry and disobedience.
c. 620s BC
Jeremiah Prophesies
Jeremiah continues to warn Judah about impending judgment due to their sin and unfaithfulness to God, employing similar metaphors of adultery to describe their spiritual defection.
c. AD 20-30
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus begins his public ministry, performing numerous miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God, yet facing increasing opposition from religious leaders.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist calls people to repentance and prepares the way for the Messiah. His disciples, and later the Pharisees, question Jesus' authority and ask for a sign.
This passage describes the sign of Jonah himself – his preaching led the entire city of Nineveh to repentance, demonstrating his divine commission. Jesus points to this as the only sign this generation will receive.
Isaiah 57:3This verse uses similar language to describe the unfaithfulness of God's people as 'adultery,' a concept Jesus echoes here to highlight their spiritual betrayal of God.
Matthew 16:1-4In this parallel account, Jesus again rebukes a similar crowd for seeking signs, stating that no sign will be given them except the sign of Jonah, reinforcing the theme of their persistent spiritual blindness.
1 Corinthians 1:22Paul echoes Jesus' point, describing how some Jews, even in the early church, were still demanding signs, highlighting the ongoing spiritual condition Jesus was addressing.
Luke 11:29-32This passage presents the same teaching, directly comparing the people of Nineveh and the Queen of the South to the current generation, showing how their willingness to respond to God's messengers makes this generation’s rejection even more damning.
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…
The word "adulterous" here is a powerful metaphor; it means they were unfaithful to God, like a spouse cheating on their partner, having turned away from Him and His covenant. Jesus isn't just saying they were immoral people; he's calling them spiritually unfaithful, seeking superficial proof instead of recognizing the deep faithfulness already shown to them.
The scribes and Pharisees have just questioned Jesus' authority, prompting him to heal a man possessed by a demon and blinded, which he does. They then demand he perform a miraculous sign from heaven to prove himself, but Jesus calls them an evil and unfaithful generation, likening their spiritual adultery to infidelity against God. He declares that no such sign will be given to them, except the sign of the prophet Jonah, which points to his own future death and resurrection.
The scribes and Pharisees have just questioned Jesus' authority, prompting him to heal a man possessed by a demon and blinded, which he does. They then demand he perform a miraculous sign from heaven to prove himself, but Jesus calls them an evil and unfaithful generation, likening their spiritual adultery to infidelity against God. He declares that no such sign will be given to them, except the sign of the prophet Jonah, which points to his own future death and resurrection.
"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." — The word "adulterous" here is a powerful metaphor; it means they were unfaithful to God, like a spouse cheating on their partner, having turned away from Him and His covenant. Jesus isn't just saying…
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Last reviewed October 2026