Matthew 12:38-42 NLT,NIV,ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

Some of our Lord's opponents try to defend themselves by asking for a sign of his authority to claim so much; e.g. Matthew 12:30 ( Matthew 12:38 ). In his reply he refers them to their own histories for proof that such a demand is inexcusable. The Ninevites did not require one when Jonah became a sign to them—and in mentioning Jonah he refers to his being in the whale's belly three days and three nights as a symbol of what should happen to himself—and "the queen of the south" took... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

Further manifestation of unbelief. I. THE SIGN FROM HEAVEN . 1 . The demand of the scribes and Pharisees. They had just witnessed a wonderful sign, a striking evidence of the Divine authority of Christ. Some of them wickedly accused the Lord of dealings with Satan; others, less brutal, but equally obstinate in their unbelief, demanded further proof. It must be some visible appearance in the sky, they said ( Luke 11:16 ); nothing else would satisfy them. 2 . The Lord '... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

Last state worse than first. All that was implied in our Lord's mode of working is here explicitly enounced. The miracles were only subordinately evidences of his Divine commission; primarily they were deeds of mercy. But to heal every one would have been to violate the constitution of man's nature, and upset the equilibrium required for the harmonious co-operation of God and man. Those only who had faith were healed, and this secured that their character was purified and aided, not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

The sign-seekers. After Jesus had denounced the blasphemy of the scribes and Pharisees, and threatened them with the severity of the judgment, certain of their number demanded of him a sign to sustain his asserted authority. In his reply we notice— I. THAT THE SINNERS ARE REBUKED IN MERCY . 1 . They sought a sign , viz. , from heaven. 2 . But this sign was not for that generation. 3 . He gave them the sign from the earth. (a) As to the fact. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:39

Of the passages mentioned in the introductory note on Matthew 12:38-42 , Matthew 16:4 is verbally identical with the answer of our present verse, except the omission of the words, "the prophet," which occur nowhere else but in this passage. But he answered and said to them, An evil ( πονηρά , Matthew 6:13 , note) and adulterous generation . However frequent the sin of adultery may then have been, the common metaphorical sense of spiritual unfaithfulness to God and the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:40

Matthew only. For as Jonas ( Jonah , Revised Version) was three days and three nights in the whale's belly . Verbally from the LXX . of Jonah 1:17 ( Jonah 2:1 ). So shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth . Since, so far as the balance of evidence goes, the Crucifixion was on Friday and the Resurrection on Sunday, the actual time between them was only one clear day and two parts of days (which might fairly be called three days) and two... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:41

Verbally identical with Luke 11:32 . The men of Nineveh ( ἄνδρες νινευῖται ) . No article, because the evangelist desired to call attention to the character of the Ninevites. The men of Nineveh, heathen though they were, shall do this. ἄνδρες (not ἄνθρωποι ); hardly because of the approaching mention of a woman (cf. Luke 11:31 ), but because the men in the city would naturally take the lead, and not the women. So also in the LXX . of Jonah 3:5 (contrast Jonah 3:7 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:42

Almost verbally identical with Luke 11:31 . The queen of the south ( βασίλισσα νότου , anarthrous; Luke 11:41 , note). The south here doubtless represents part of Arabia Felix (see Dr. Lumby, on 1 Kings 10:1 ). Shall rise up . Does ἐγερθήσεται here imply more effort than ἀναστήσονται ( Luke 11:41 )? This would at least be consistent with the energy which the mention of the Queen of Sheba always suggests . In the judgment with this generation, and shall... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:38-42

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:38-40

Matthew 12:38-40. Then certain of the scribes, &c. Now present, upon hearing how plainly Christ admonished, and how severely he rebuked them, answered Probably with a view to divert the discourse to another topic, We would see a sign from thee As if they had said, Otherwise we will not believe this doctrine. Thus they insinuated that the ejection of devils was but a trifling miracle, which, for all he had said to the contrary, might be done by the help of devils, and that no signs... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:39

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:40

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:41

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:42

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:38-42

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:38-40

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