Matthew 12:39

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:1-50

B. Specific instances of Israel’s rejection of Jesus ch. 12Matthew has shown that opposition to Jesus came from two main sources: the animosity of the religious leaders, and the indifference of the common Israelites. In this chapter he presented five instances in which opposition manifested itself and increased. In each situation the approach to Jesus was negative, but Jesus responded positively. [Note: Toussaint, Behold the . . ., p. 158.] "Central to the plot of Matthew’s story is the element... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:38-45

3. Conflict over Jesus’ sign 12:38-45The fourth incident and the third type of conflict concerned a sign that Jesus’ critics requested. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:39-40

The evil and adulterous generation was the larger group of unbelieving Jews that the scribes and Pharisees represented. Adultery is a common Old Testament metaphor for spiritual apostasy, departure from God (Isaiah 50:1; Isaiah 57:3; Jeremiah 3:8; Jeremiah 13:27; Jeremiah 31:32; Ezekiel 16:15; Ezekiel 16:32; Ezekiel 16:35-42; Hosea 2:1-7; Hosea 3:1; Hosea 7:13-16). God had granted signs in the past to strengthen the weak faith of believers such as Abraham, Joshua, and Gideon. Jesus refused to... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:1-50

Plucking Corn on the Sabbath. Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost1-8. Plucking the corn on the sabbath (Mark 2:23; Luke 6:1). This chapter begins the period of active conflict with the Pharisees. It is characteristic of the pedantry of the Pharisees that their opposition turned more upon minute points of legal observance than upon broad principles. The Fourth Gospel agrees with the synoptists in making the sabbath controversy of leading importance in the development of hostility to Christ (John... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 12:39

(39) An evil and adulterous generation.—The true relation between Israel and Jehovah had been represented by the prophets as that of the wife to her husband (Jeremiah 3:0; Ezekiel 16:23; Hosea 1:2). The adulterous generation was therefore one that was unfaithful to its Lord—demanding a sign, instead of finding sufficient proofs of faithfulness and love in what He had already done.There shall no sign be given to it.—The words seem at first to place our Lord’s miracles of healing outside the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Matthew 12:1-50

Matthew 12:19-20 'Not strive,' not 'cry,' not lift up His voice 'in the streets,' not break 'the bruised reed,' not quench 'the smoking flax'! These are some of the rarest and finest features of a character that is altogether lovely. They are negative characteristics. The character of the Christ is no less unique in its striking absences than in its majestic presences. Its valleys are as conspicuous as its mountains. The Holy Ghost works in the way of a certain exclusion. His handiwork is... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:1-50

Chapter 10The Shadow of the Cross - Matthew 11:1-30; Matthew 12:1-50I-DISCOURAGEMENTS. {Matthew 11:1-30}HITHERTO almost everything has been hopeful and encouraging in our Evangelist’s record of the Saviour’s ministry. It began like daybreak on the shores of the sea of Galilee. Great multitudes followed Him wherever He went; and those whom He called to be with Him cheerfully responded to the summons. When He preached the Gospel of the kingdom, the people were astonished at His doctrine, and... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Matthew 12:1-50

9. The Rejection Consummated and the Broken Relationship. CHAPTER 12 1. The Hungry Disciples and the Accusing Pharisees. (Matthew 12:1-9 .) 2. The Man with the Withered Hand Healed.(Matthew 12:10-13 .) 3. The Hatred of the Pharisees.(Matthew 12:14 .) 4. The King in Rejection. (Matthew 12:15-21 .) 5. The Demon Possessed Man Healed. (Matthew 12:22-23 .) 6. The Blasphemy of the Pharisees and the King's Answer. (Matthew 12:24-37 .) 7. The Sign of Jonas and his Warning Prediction. (Matthew... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Matthew 12:39

12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and {f} adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:(f) Bastard, who fell from Abraham’s faith or forsook the true worship of God. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:1-50

We have seen that Matthew groups events with a dispensational end in view, and chapter 12 shows a building up on Israel's part to a state of utter rejection of their Messiah. The expression "at that time" does not mean that this event took place at the some time chronologically, but "is a general term embracing connected events" (William Kelly). For the event actually took place some time earlier (Mark 2:23). But this is chosen by God to be recorded here in order to show that Israel's... read more

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