Matthew 12:38-50

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

It is probable that these Pharisees with whom Christ is here in discourse were not the same that cavilled at him (Matt. 12:24), and would not credit the signs he gave; but another set of them, who saw that there was no reason to discredit them, but would not content themselves with the signs he gave, nor admit the evidence of them, unless he would give them such further proof as they should demand. Here is, I. Their address to him, Matt. 12:38. They compliment him with the title of Master,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 12:46-50

Many excellent, useful sayings came from the mouth of our Lord Jesus upon particular occasions; even his digressions were instructive, as well as his set discourses: as here, Observe, I. How Christ was interrupted in his preaching by his mother and his brethren, that stood without, desiring to speak with him (Matt. 12:40, 47); which desire of theirs was conveyed to him through the crowd. It is needless to enquire which of his brethren they were that came along with his mother (perhaps they... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 12:1-50

In Matthew 12:1-50 we read the history of a series of crucial events in the life of Jesus. In every man's life there are decisive moments, times and events on which the whole of his life hinges. This chapter presents us with the story of such a period in the life of Jesus. In it we see the orthodox Jewish religious leaders of the day coming to their final decision regarding Jesus--and that was rejection. It was not only rejection in the sense that they would have nothing to do with him; it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:38

Then certain of the Scribes and Pharisees answered ,.... Not the same that charged him with casting out devils, by the prince of devils; but others, that were present, as appears from Luke 11:16 and who do not take upon them to make a proper reply to what he had said, or return an answer to that, but address him on another account; being willing to divert the discourse, and try what they could do with him in another, and more gentle and crafty way; saying, master, not fellow, magician,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:39

But he answered and said unto them ,.... 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 Matthew 12:45 he turns himself from the Scribes and Pharisees, to the common people, and says to them concerning the former, an evil and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:40

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly ,.... Or "in the belly of a great fish", as is said, Jonah 1:17 for that it was a whale, is not there said, nor is it certain it was; nor from the smallness of its swallow, is it thought probable it should; nor does the word here used, necessarily imply one, but some large fish; nor are there whales in the Phoenician Sea: it might be a kind of a sea dog, called Carcharias, and sometimes Lamia, or Lamina, from its vast... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:41

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment ,.... Alluding either to the custom and practice of witnesses, who rise up from their seats, and stand, when they give in their testimonies in a court of judicature; or else, referring to the time of the general resurrection from the dead, at the last day, when these men shall rise from the dead, and stand in judgment with this generation ; shall rise when they do, and stand before the judgment seat together, and be against them, and shall... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:42

The queen of the south ,.... Called the queen of Sheba, 1 Kings 10:1 . Sheba was one of the sons of Joktan, a grandchild of Arphaxad, who settled in the southern parts of Arabia: hence this queen is called the queen of the south. Sheba is by the Targumist F16 In 1 Chron. i. 9. & 2 Chron. ix. 1. called Zemargad: and this queen the queen of Zemargad: she goes by different names. According to some, her name was Maqueda F17 Ludolph. Hist. Aethiop. 1. 2. c. 3. & not. in Claud.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:43

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man ,.... By "the unclean" spirit, is meant Satan, the old serpent, the devil; who by the Jews, is wont to be called as here, רוח מסאבא , "the unclean spirit" F24 Zohar in Gen. fol. 77. 2. ; and that, because he is by sin become so, though he was not so originally; is the cause of uncleanness in men, and delights in unclean persons, places, and things: his "going out of a man", is not to be understood of his being dispossessed of the bodies... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:44

Then he said, I will return into my house ,.... Into the land of Judea, particularly into the Scribes and Pharisees, outward professors of religion; who, notwithstanding their outward reformation, and great pretensions to holiness, are Satan's house still: he has a property in them, a claim upon them; and though he says, from whence I came out , yet he never really and properly quitted it, only seemingly, and in appearance; and therefore his returning is only throwing off the guise, and... read more

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