Matthew 12:38

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

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:1-45

(1) Opposition from his enemies. (a) Conscious and wilful opposition ( Matthew 12:1-37 ). ( α ) As regards the sabbath ( Matthew 12:1-14 ). ( β ) An interlude. The evangelist sees in our Lord's behaviour the fulfilment of Isaiah's prophecy (verses 15-21). ( γ ) The opposition carried to the extreme of accusing him of alliance with Beelzebub. Christ shows the monstrous character of such an accusation, and the absence which it discloses of all spirituality of mind... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:1-50

The opposition that our Lord met with read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38

Then certain . The demand is only made by a portion of those present, who, according to Luke 11:16 , were not the same as those who spoke our Luke 11:24 . Of the scribes and of the (Revised Version omits the ) Pharisees . They are represented as forming but one party ( Matthew 5:20 , note). Answered ( him , Revised Version, with the manuscripts). It is worth noticing that the insertion of the pronoun makes the passage more like Matthew 16:1 and parallels. Saying,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38

Sinful sign-seekers. Sign-seeking may be either right or wrong. Gideon sought a sign from God for the confirmation of his faith; and to him the sign was given. These Pharisees asked for a sign which they could turn into a confirmation of their unbelief, and to them no sign was given; they must be content with a sort of enigma, or riddle, which they might puzzle over if they pleased. The state of mind of these sign-seekers is of great importance. It explains to us at once that it would Lave... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-42

Before entering on this difficult passage, it seems necessary to make some preliminary observations. (a) The demand was made twice (in itself exceedingly probable), and our Lord's answers were to a great extent identical in substance (in itself not very probable), and when identical in substance were closely identical in language (distinctly less probable). Or perhaps we might suppose that this identity of language was rather due to the narrator than to our Lord himself; familiarity with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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