Matthew 12:39-40
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Jesus calls this generation "adulterous," not just because of moral unfaithfulness to God, but because they're demanding signs beyond the abundant proof already given. They're seeking more than they're willing to acknowledge, essentially betraying their covenant relationship with God by their persistent unbelief.
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. For just 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is responding to a demand from the scribes and Pharisees for a miraculous sign to prove his authority. They've already witnessed many of his powerful deeds, but they remain skeptical and are seeking yet another sign from heaven. Jesus declares that this "evil and adulterous generation" will receive no sign beyond the miraculous sign of the prophet Jonah, pointing to his own future death, burial, and resurrection as the ultimate sign.
Jesus calls His own people 'adulterous.' What does this harsh word mean in the Old Testament and why would Jesus use it here?
When Jesus calls this generation 'adulterous,' He's using powerful Old Testament imagery. The relationship between God and Israel was often described as a marriage covenant. God was the faithful husband, and Israel was the wife.
Unfaithfulness to God
When Israel turned to other gods, worshiped idols, or pursued alliances with foreign nations against God's counsel, it was seen as spiritual adultery. This wasn't just about breaking commandments; it was a betrayal of their deepest relationship.
More Than Just Hypocrisy
Some scholars suggest there's evidence this generation was literally unfaithful in their marriages too. But even if not, the primary meaning here is their deep spiritual unfaithfulness to God. They had experienced countless signs of God's presence and power, yet their hearts were turned away, seeking more proof on their own terms.
Jesus promises 'no sign' except one. What's so special about Jonah's experience that it becomes the ultimate sign of Jesus' identity?
The people demanding a sign weren't asking for simple proof; they were looking for something dramatic, a spectacle from heaven to justify their disbelief. Jesus says He won't give them that kind of sign.
A Sign of Resurrection
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Instead, He points to the 'sign of Jonah.' This refers to Jonah being swallowed by a great fish and remaining in its belly for three days and three nights before being miraculously delivered. This wasn't just a rescue; it was a powerful picture foreshadowing Jesus' own death, burial, and resurrection.
The Core Message
Just as Jonah's experience was a sign to the Ninevites that he was sent by God, Jesus' resurrection would be the definitive sign to this generation. It proves He is who He says He is – the Son of God, raised from the dead. It's a sign that offers repentance and new life, a sign they desperately needed but refused to see.
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.
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
A title Jesus used for Himself, rooted in Daniel 7:13-14, which emphasizes both His humanity and His divine authority as the Messiah and future judge.
Jesus calls the generation seeking more signs 'adulterous' because they are spiritually unfaithful to God, like a spouse cheating on their partner. They’ve already seen numerous miracles, yet they demand still more, showing a deep-seated rebellion rather than genuine seeking. The 'sign of Jonah' points to Jesus' own resurrection, mirroring Jonah's three days in the fish as a sign of God’s power and vindication.
c. 760 BC
Jonah's Ministry to Nineveh
The prophet Jonah is sent to preach repentance to the great Assyrian city of Nineveh, a foreign and often hostile power. He initially flees but is swallowed by a great fish and then vomits onto land, after which he delivers his message and the city repents.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The powerful Assyrian Empire, of which Nineveh was a major city, conquers and exiles the northern kingdom of Israel. This event looms large in the memory of Jews, highlighting the dangers of unfaithfulness to God and the threat of foreign powers.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians, successors to Assyria, conquer Jerusalem and destroy the Temple, exiling many of the Judean people. This catastrophic event is seen as God's judgment for the people's unfaithfulness and idolatry.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee and Judea, performing miracles, teaching about the Kingdom of God, and confronting religious leaders. His ministry is marked by numerous signs and wonders that point to his identity.
This passage describes the sign of Jonah himself – his preaching to the Ninevites led to their repentance. Jesus is pointing to his own resurrection as the ultimate sign, paralleling Jonah's experience in the fish.
Hosea 1:2The Old Testament prophets, like Hosea, used the imagery of marriage to describe God's relationship with Israel. Calling the generation 'adulterous' directly echoes this prophetic language, highlighting their spiritual unfaithfulness to God.
1 Corinthians 1:22The Apostle Paul echoes Jesus' frustration with the Jews' desire for signs, calling them a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. This highlights the ongoing theme of people seeking miraculous proofs instead of accepting God's message.
Matthew 11:2-6This passage immediately precedes Matthew 12:39 and shows Jesus responding to John the Baptist's messengers, pointing to his miracles as signs that the Messiah has come. This contrasts with the demand for a new, greater sign from the Pharisees.
Matthew 16:1-4Jesus again rebukes a similar crowd for seeking a sign, calling them an 'evil and adulterous generation.' This demonstrates that the demand for signs and Jesus' consistent refusal to offer them to such skeptics was a recurring issue.
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…
Jesus calls this generation "adulterous," not just because of moral unfaithfulness to God, but because they're demanding signs beyond the abundant proof already given. They're seeking more than they're willing to acknowledge, essentially betraying their covenant relationship with God by their persistent unbelief.
Jesus is responding to a demand from the scribes and Pharisees for a miraculous sign to prove his authority. They've already witnessed many of his powerful deeds, but they remain skeptical and are seeking yet another sign from heaven. Jesus declares that this "evil and adulterous generation" will receive no sign beyond the miraculous sign of the prophet Jonah, pointing to his own future death, burial, and resurrection as the ultimate sign.
Jesus is responding to a demand from the scribes and Pharisees for a miraculous sign to prove his authority. They've already witnessed many of his powerful deeds, but they remain skeptical and are seeking yet another sign from heaven. Jesus declares that this "evil and adulterous generation" will receive no sign beyond the miraculous sign of the prophet Jonah, pointing to his own future death, burial, and resurrection as the ultimate sign.
"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. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the…" — Jesus calls this generation "adulterous," not just because of moral unfaithfulness to God, but because they're demanding signs beyond the abundant proof already given. They're seeking more than the…
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Last reviewed October 2026
