Matthew 12:38-50 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:45

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits ,.... This is said in allusion to, and in imitation of the seven spirits before the throne; or may denote a large number of devils, seven being a number of perfection; or else the various corruptions of a man's heart, the swarms of internal lusts which are there stirred up by Satan; more wicked than himself , as these are more pernicious to man, than the devil himself: and they enter in and dwell there ; that is, though they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:46

While he yet talked to the people ,.... Upon these subjects, which so nearly concerned the Scribes and Pharisees, and which could not fail of drawing upon him their resentment and ill will. Behold his mother and his brethren : by "his mother" is meant Mary; but who are "his brethren", is not so easy to say: some are of opinion, that Joseph had children by Mary, who are here meant; but it is more generally believed, that these were either the sons of Joseph by a former wife, whose name is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:47

Then one said unto him ,.... Either one of his auditors, or, as the Ethiopic version has it, one "of his disciples": the other evangelists intimate, that more than one acquainted him with it; which is easily reconciled: for, upon his mother and brethren calling to him, as Mark says they did; first one and then another, and more, might apprise him of it, and especially as he did not immediately go out unto them. Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:48

But he answered and said unto him that told him ,.... Of his mother and brethren being without doors, desiring, and waiting to speak to him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? These questions are put, not as if he himself was ignorant who were his mother or his brethren; or as suggesting as if he had none; or as denying that these were in such a relation to him; or as casting any slight upon them; or as intending to teach men disrespect to parents and kindred, according to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:49

And he stretched forth his hand towards his disciples ,.... By whom are meant, not only the twelve, but all others present, who truly believed in him, both men and women; and who might sit near him and together, and whom, by this motion of his hand, he pointed out as his spiritual relations, to the multitude that sat round him: and said, behold my mother, and my brethren ; in whose hearts he was formed, and who were the children of God by adopting grace, and so his brethren; and were as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:50

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father ,.... This is not to be understood of a perfect obedience to the will of God, revealed in his righteous law; for since this cannot be performed by any mere man, no one could be in such a spiritual relation to Christ: but of the obedience of faith to the will of God, revealed in the Gospel; which is to believe in Christ, and have everlasting life; see John 6:40 . This is the will of Christ's Father, which is in heaven , and which is good news... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:38

We would see a sign from thee - That is, we wish now to see thee work a miracle. Pride, vain curiosity, and incredulity, have never proof sufficient of the truth: for they will not be satisfied. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:39

An evil and adulterous generation - Or, race of people; for so γενεα should be translated here, and in most other places in the Gospels; for our Lord, in general, uses it to point out the Jewish people. This translation is a key to unlock some very obscure passages in the evangelists. Seeketh after a sign - Or, seeketh another sign, ( επιζητει ), so I think this word should be translated. Our Lord had already given the Jews several signs; and here they desire sign upon sign. Our... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:40

Three days and three nights - Our Lord rose from the grave on the day but one after his crucifixion: so that, in the computation in this verse, the part of the day on which he was crucified, and the part of that on which he rose again, are severally estimated as an entire day; and this, no doubt, exactly corresponded to the time in which Jonah was in the belly of the fish. Our Lord says, As Jonah was, so shall the Son of man be, etc. Evening and morning, or night and day, is the Hebrew... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:41

The men of Nineveh shell rise in judgment - The voice of God, threatening temporal judgments, caused a whole people to repent, who had neither Moses nor Christ, neither the law nor the prophets; and who perhaps never had but this one preacher among them. What judgment may not we expect, if we continue impenitent, after all that God has bestowed upon us? A greater than Jonas is here - Πλειον , for τι πλειον , something more. The evidence offered by Jonah sufficed to convince and lead... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:45

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:46

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:47

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:48

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:49

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:50

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:38

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:39

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:40

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 12:41

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