What does Matthew 12:39 mean?

Explanation

The verse Matthew 12:39 is a response from Jesus to some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law who had just asked Him for a miraculous sign to prove His authority.

Jesus refers to them as an "evil and adulterous generation," indicating moral corruption and unfaithfulness to God.

The request for a sign is seen as a manifestation of their lack of faith and understanding.

Jesus denies their request for a sign on their terms but mentions that they will be given "the sign of the prophet Jonas" (Jonah).

This refers to His own death and resurrection, drawing a parallel between Jonah's three days in the belly of a great fish and Jesus' three days in the tomb before His resurrection.

Historical Context

At the time of this exchange, during Jesus' ministry, there was significant expectation among the Jewish people for a messiah who would deliver them from Roman rule.

The Pharisees and teachers of the law were religious leaders who were deeply knowledgeable about the Hebrew scriptures and held considerable sway over public opinion.

Miraculous signs had been associated with prophetic authority in Jewish tradition.

However, Jesus is challenging this expectation, insisting that His authenticity should be apparent from His teachings and deeds, not merely from performing signs upon demand.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, Jesus' response can be interpreted as highlighting the importance of faith over the need for miraculous evidence.

In rebuking the demand for a sign, Jesus asserts that His messianic role is not to be a performer of signs for the sake of convincing skeptics but to fulfill God's redemptive plan through His death and resurrection.

This verse may also be seen as a warning against demanding God prove Himself on our terms instead of seeking to understand the signs that He has already provided.

Practical Applications

The teachings in Matthew 12:39 can be applied in daily life by emphasizing faith and trust in God's plan rather than constantly seeking new proofs or wonders.

It encourages individuals to look for God's work in the ordinary and the fulfillment of scripture as a sign of His presence and activity, rather than seeking spectacular demonstrations.

It also reminds believers to be faithful and to avoid the cynicism and skepticism that can blind them to the work of God in the world.

Cross-References

• Jonah 1:17 – "Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah.

And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights."

• Matthew 16:4 – "A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas.

And he left them, and departed."

• Luke 11:29-30 – "And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.

For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation."

• 1 Corinthians 15:4 – "And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word used for "sign" is "σημεῖον" (sēmeion), which may denote a sign, miracle, or wonder that carries a specific meaning or message.

The term "evil" is translated from "πονηρὰ" (ponēra), which implies moral corruption and wickedness, while "adulterous" is from "μοιχαλὶς" (moichalis), referring to infidelity, both in a literal sense and metaphorically as unfaithfulness to God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

At the time of Jesus, other cultures also had stories of individuals surviving after being swallowed by sea creatures, which often signified a transformation.

The story of Jonah was unique among these in its monotheistic context, and its use by Jesus reinforces the importance of understanding signs within a covenantal relationship between God and His people.

The sign of Jonah stands as a call to repentance and a demonstration of God's mercy as seen in the story of Jonah and Nineveh.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, the story of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish and surviving three days is highly improbable.

However, the focus of Jesus' reference to "the sign of the prophet Jonas" is not on the historicity of Jonah's experience but on the symbolic representation of death and resurrection, which bears theological rather than scientific significance.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have various interpretations of this verse.

Some view the sign of Jonah as a typological foreshadowing of Christ's death and resurrection, pointing out that just as Jonah's experience led to the repentance of Nineveh, Jesus' resurrection would become the ultimate call to repentance for all humanity.

Others emphasize the verse's critique of sign-seeking behavior, warning against a perpetual need for miracles to sustain faith, instead of understanding and trusting in the miracles already given, chiefly the resurrection of Christ as the foundation of Christian faith.