Matthew 12:39

“But he answered and said unto them, etc.] Not to the Pharisees, who were unworthy of an answer from him; having, in such an imperious manner, and with a sole view to tempt him, and after such miracles were wrought by him, required of him a sign from heaven; but to the multitude, the throng of people gathered thick together on this occasion, (see <401245> Matthew 12:45; <421129>Luke 11:29) he turns himself from the Scribes and Pharisees, to the common people, and says to them concerning the former, an evil and adulterous generation; not only in a spiritual sense, being degenerated from the faith, religion, and piety of their ancestors; but literally, which appeared not only in their polygamy,…”

“But he answered and said unto them--"when the people were gathered thick together" (Luk 11:29). An evil and adulterous generation--This latter expression is best explained by Jer 3:20, "Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord." For this was the relationship in which He stood to the covenant-people--"I am married unto you" (Jer 3:14). seeketh after a sign--In the eye of Jesus this class were but the spokesmen of their generation, the exponents of the reigning spirit of unbelief. and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.”

“We would see a sign from thee - See Luke 11:16, Luke 11:29-32. A “sign” commonly signifies a miracle - that is, a sign that God was with the person or had sent him. Compare the notes at Isaiah 7:11. Luke adds that this was done “tempting him;” that is, trying him, doubting if he had the power to do it. If these persons had been present with him for any considerable time, they had already seen sufficient proofs that he was what he claimed to be. They might have been, however, those who had recently come, and then the emphasis must be laid on “we” - we, as well as the others, would see a proof that thou art the Christ. In either case it was a temptation. If they had not seen him work a…”

“An adulterous generation - Whose heart wanders from God, though they profess him to be their husband. Such adulterers are all those who love the world, and all who seek the friendship of it. Seeketh a sign - After all they have had already, which were abundantly sufficient to convince them, had not their hearts been estranged from God, and consequently averse to the truth. The sign of Jonah - Who was herein a type of Christ. Matthew 12:40”

“12:39-40 To demand a sign demonstrates a lack of faith. • The sign of the prophet Jonah consisted of Jonah’s “resurrection” from the large fish after three days and three nights as well as his preaching (12:41; Luke 11:32); it was analogous to Jesus’ burial and resurrection and his preaching. Jesus was drawing a parallel between Jonah’s experience and what he himself would experience. He was not predicting an exact chronology of his death and resurrection. • Heart of the earth is a euphemism for the grave.”

“adulterous: Isa 57:3; Mar 8:38; Jam 4:4 no sign: Mat 16:4; Luk 11:29, Luk 11:30 Matthew 12:40”