Matthew 12:39 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus says only the sign of Jonah will be given to this sign-seeking generation.
What Does Matthew 12:39 Mean?
Jesus rebukes the demand. He calls his generation evil and adulterous, unfaithful to the God who has revealed himself, because they crave a sign while refusing the truth before them. No sign will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah, whose story he is about to apply to himself.
To call them adulterous recalls how Scripture pictures unfaithfulness to God as a broken marriage. A heart that loves God does not bargain for proofs; it trusts and obeys. The only sign Jesus offers is the one that matters most. Jonah, swallowed and restored, foreshadows Christ's burial and rising. The greatest evidence of who he is will be his triumph over death itself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 12:39
What does Matthew 12:39 mean?
Jesus says only the sign of Jonah will be given to this sign-seeking generation.