Matthew 16:4 Meaning and Explanation
“A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus refuses another sign except the sign of Jonah, then leaves them.
What Does Matthew 16:4 Mean?
A generation hungry for spectacle yet unwilling to repent is called 'wicked and adulterous,' a phrase the prophets used for a people unfaithful to God. Jesus grants them only the 'sign of Jonah.' As Jonah was three days in the great fish, so the Son would be three days in the heart of the earth and rise.
The greatest sign would not be a flash in the sky but an empty tomb. Jesus then simply departs, for there is a point past which argument cannot reach a closed heart. His leaving is itself a sober mercy and a warning: God does not force himself on those who only want a show. He offers instead the deepest sign of all, his death and resurrection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 16:4
What does Matthew 16:4 mean?
Jesus refuses another sign except the sign of Jonah, then leaves them.