Matthew 12:39 NIV

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

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:22-45

52. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22-45; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 11:14-36)On one occasion when Jesus cast out demons, the Pharisees accused him of doing it by the power of Satan, the prince of demons (Matthew 12:22-24; Luke 11:14-16). Jesus replied that if the prince of demons used his own power to cast out demons, he would be creating civil war in his own kingdom. He would be destroying himself. The only way a strong man can be defeated is if a stronger man overpowers him. In casting out... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:39

adulterous. Spiritually. See Jeremiah 3:9 . Ezekiel 23:37 , &c generation. Greek. genea. Not the same as in Matthew 12:34 . See note on Matthew 11:16 . seeketh: or, is for ever seeking. Jonas = Jonah. See App-117 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:39

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet.The "adulterous generation" refers not merely to the morals of the people but to the rejection of Israel's covenant with their God. Barnes wrote:The relation of the Jews to God was represented as a marriage contract with God as the husband and the Jewish people as his wife (Isaiah 57:3; Hosea 3:1; Ezekiel 16:15). Hence, their... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 12:38-39

Matthew 12:38-39. Then certain of the Scribes, &c.— Though our Saviour's reasoning was clear and unanswerable, yet some of the Scribes and Pharisees, desirous to divert the discourse to another topic, and fully demonstrating the hardness of their hearts, required a sign from heaven; as much as to say, "Master, thou professest thyself a teacher of extraordinary authority, and we may justly expect some proportionable proof of it: Now these supposed dispossessions which we have lately seen or... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:39

39. But he answered and said unto them—"when the people were gathered thick together" (Luke 11:29). an evil and adulterous generation—This latter expression is best explained by Luke 11:29- :, "Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord." For this was the relationship in which He stood to the covenant-people—"I am married unto you" (Luke 11:29- :). seeketh after a sign—In the eye of Jesus this class were... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:39

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

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:22-45

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:39

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:39

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 12:38-39

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:39

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