Matthew 12:38

This verse is part of a larger passage in which Jesus is confronted by the scribes and Pharisees who demand a sign from Him. To understand the context and the significance of this verse, let’s explore the surrounding verses.

Matthew 12:38-42 (KJV):

“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 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: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.”

In this passage, the scribes and Pharisees approach Jesus, addressing Him as “Master.” They ask Him to perform a sign or a miracle as proof of His authority and messiahship. Their request is driven by scepticism and a desire to test or challenge Jesus.

However, Jesus responds by rebuking them, calling them an “evil and adulterous generation.” He identifies their demand for a sign as a sign of their unbelief and lack of faith. Jesus explains that no sign will be given to them except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Jesus draws a parallel between His own upcoming death, burial, and resurrection and the experience of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish and then being released after three days and three nights. Just as Jonah’s experience was a sign to the people of Nineveh, Jesus’ resurrection would be the ultimate sign and proof of His divine authority and mission.

Jesus further emphasises the seriousness of the scribes and Pharisees’ unbelief by mentioning two examples from the Old Testament. He speaks of the men of Nineveh, who repented when Jonah preached to them, and the queen of the south (the Queen of Sheba), who came from a distant place to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Jesus implies that the people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba, who responded to the limited signs and wisdom they received, will stand as witnesses against the unbelieving generation of Jesus’ time.