The Desire for Signs

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, (A)we want to see a [a]sign from You.” 39 But He answered and said to them, (B)An evil and adulterous generation craves a [b]sign; and so no [c]sign will be given to it except the [d]sign of Jonah the prophet; 40 for just as (C)Jonah was in the stomach of the sea monster for three days and three nights, so will (D)the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for (E)three days and three nights. 41 (F)The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because (G)they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something (H)greater than Jonah is here. 42 (I)The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something (J)greater than Solomon is here.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 12:38 I.e., confirming miracle
  2. Matthew 12:39 I.e., confirming miracle
  3. Matthew 12:39 I.e., confirming miracle
  4. Matthew 12:39 I.e., confirming miracle

The Desire for Signs

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign (attesting miracle) from You [proving that You are what You claim to be].” 39 But He replied and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation [that is morally unfaithful to God] craves and demands a [miraculous] sign; but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah;(A) 40 for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.(B) 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up [as witnesses] at the judgment against this generation, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now, something greater than Jonah is here.(C) 42 The Queen of the South (Sheba) will stand up [as a witness] at the judgment against this generation, and will condemn it because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon; and now, something greater than Solomon is here.(D)

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38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

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:

40 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.

41 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.

42 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.

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