Matthew 16:4

Matthew 16:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of Jonah. And he left them, and departed.

Bible in Basic English BBE

An evil and false generation is searching after a sign; and no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah. And he went away from them.

Free Bible Version FBV

An evil and adulterous generation are the ones who look for a miraculous sign, and no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah.” He left them and went away.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

The wicked generation, and adulterous seeketh a signe, but there shall no signe be giuen it, but that signe of the Prophet Ionas: so hee left them, and departed.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'A generation evil and adulterous doth seek a sign, and a sign shall not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet;' and having left them he went away.

World English Bible WEB

An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” He left them and departed.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh for a sign; and there shall no sign been to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. And he left them, and departed.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. And he left them, and went away.

Translation for Translators T4T

You evil people have seen me perform miracles but you do not faithfully worship God [MET]. You want to see me perform a miracle that would prove that God has sent me. But God will enable you to see only one miracle. It will be like what happened [MET] to Jonah, the prophet, who was inside a huge fish for three days and then came out of it to live again.” Then Jesus left them and sailed away, along with us disciples.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 16:4

BAB

Word Study

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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Matthew 16:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK γενεα πονηρα και μοιχαλις σημειον επιζητει και σημειον ου δοθησεται αυτη ει μη το σημειον ιωνα του προφητου και καταλιπων αυτους απηλθεν

γενεα genea G1074 generation Noun-NSF

πονηρα ponēros G4190 evil/bad Adj-NSF

και kai G2532 and Conj

μοιχαλις moichalis G3428 adulterous Noun-NSF

σημειον sēmeion G4592 sign Noun-ASN

επιζητει epizēteō G1934 to seek after Verb-PAI-3S

και kai G2532 and Conj

σημειον sēmeion G4592 sign Noun-NSN

ου ou G3756 no Particle-N

δοθησεται didōmi G1325 to give Verb-FPI-3S

αυτη autos G846 it/s/he Pron-DSF

ει ei G1487 if COND

μη mē G3361 not Particle-N

το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSN

σημειον sēmeion G4592 sign Noun-NSN

ιωνα Iōnas G2495 Jonah Noun-GSM

του ho G3588 the/this/who Art-GSM

προφητου prophētēs G4396 prophet Noun-GSM

και kai G2532 and Conj

καταλιπων kataleipō G2641 to leave behind Verb-2AAP-NSM

αυτους autos G846 it/s/he Pron-APM

απηλθεν aperchomai G565 to go away Verb-2AAI-3S

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 16:4

γενεα genea G1074 "generation" Noun-NSF

A generation of people, like those living at the same time, as mentioned in Matthew 1:17 and Mark 13:30.

Definition: γενεά, -ᾶς, ἡ (γίγνομαι), [in LXX chiefly for דּוֹר, דֹּר (Cremer, 148) ;] __1. race, stock, family (in NT, γέννημα, which see). __2. generation; __(a) of the contemporary members of a family: pl., Mat.1:17 (cf. Gen.31:3, מוֹלֶדֶת); metaphorically, of those alike in character, in bad sense, Mat.17:17, Mrk.9:19, Luk.9:41 16:8, Act.2:40; __(b) of all the people of a given period: Mat.24:34, Mrk.13:30, Luk.21:32, Php.2:15; pl., Luk.1:48; esp. of the Jewish people, Mat.11:16 12:39, 41 42, 45 16:4 23:36, Mrk.8:12, 38 Luk.7:31 11:29, 30-32, 50, 51 17:25, Act.13:36, Heb.3:10" (LXX) ; τὴν γ. αὐτοῦ τίς διηγήσεται, Act.8:33 (LXX); __(with) the period covered by the life-time of a generation, used loosely in pl. of successive ages: Act.14:16 15:21, Eph.3:5, Col.1:26; εἰς γενεὰς καὶ γ. (= לִדוֹר וָדוֹר, al.), Luk.34:17, al), Luk.1:50; εἰς πάσας τὰς γ. τοῦ αἰῶνος τῶν αἰώνων, Eph.3:21 (Ellic, in l.; DCG, i, 639f.). † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 37 NT verses. KJV: age, generation, nation, time See also: Acts 2:40; Luke 11:51; Hebrews 3:10.

πονηρα ponēros G4190 "evil/bad" Adj-NSF

The Greek word for evil or bad, describing something that causes harm or is morally wrong, used in the New Testament to describe people and things, like in Matthew 7:11 and Ephesians 5:16.

Definition: πονηρός, -ά, -όν (πονέω, to toil), [in LXX chiefly for רַע ;] __1. __(a) of persons, oppressed by toils (Hes.); __(b) of things, toilsome, painful (καιρός, Sir.51:12): Eph.5:16 6:13 Rev.16:2. __2. bad, worthless; __(a) in physical sense: καρπός, Mat.7:17-18; __(b) in ethical sense, bad, evil, wicked; __(α) of persons: Mat.7:11 12:34-35 18:32 25:26, Luk.6:45 11:13 19:22, Act.17:5, 2Th.3:2, 2Ti.3:13; γενεά, Mat.12:39, 45 16:4, Luk.11:29; πνεῦμια, Mat.12:45, Luk.7:21 8:2 11:26, Act.19:12-13, 15-16; as subst., οἱ π., opposite to δίκαιοι, Mat.13:49; to ἀγαθοί, Mat.5:45 22:10; οἱ ἀχάριστοι καὶ π., Luk.6:35; sing., ὁ π., Mat.5:39, 1Co.5:13; id. esp. of Satan, the evil one, Mat.5:37 6:13 (see Lft., Notes, 125 ff.; but cf. McN, in l) Mat.13:19, 38, Luk.11:4 (WH, R, om.), Jhn.17:15, Eph.6:16, 2Th.3:3 (Lft., Notes, l.with), 1Jn.2:13-14 Jn 3:12 Jn 5:18-19; __(β) of things: Mat.5:11 12:35 15:19, Luk.6:22, 45, Jhn.3:19 7:7, Act.18:14 25:18, Gal.1:4, Col.1:21, 1Ti.6:4, 2Ti.4:18, Heb.3:12 10:22, Jas.2:4 4:16, 1Jn.3:12, II Jn 11, 3Jn.10; ὀφθαλμός (which see), Mat.6:23 20:15, Mrk.7:22, Luk.11:34; as subst., neut., τὸ π., Act.28:21, 1Th.5:22; opposite to ἀγαθόν, Luk.6:45, Rom.12:9; pl., Mat.9:4, Mrk.7:23, Luk.3:19. † SYN.: see: ἄθεσμος (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 72 NT verses. KJV: bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked(-ness) See also: 1 Corinthians 5:13; Luke 6:45; Hebrews 3:12.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

μοιχαλις moichalis G3428 "adulterous" Noun-NSF

This word describes someone who is adulterous, either literally or figuratively. It is used in the New Testament to describe unfaithfulness, like in Romans and James.

Definition: 1. an adulteress , (New Testament):as adjective adulterous , (New Testament) 2. as Substantive = μοιχεία, (New Testament) (ML)

Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: adulteress(-ous, -y) See also: 2 Peter 2:14; Matthew 12:39; James 4:4.

σημειον sēmeion G4592 "sign" Noun-ASN

A sign is an indication or token of something, often supernatural. In the Bible, it's used in Matthew 26:48 and Luke 2:12 to describe miracles or events that point to God.

Definition: σημεῖον, -ου, τό [in LXX chiefly for אוֹת ;] a sign, mark, token; __(a) of that which distinguishes a person or thing from others: Mat.26:48 Luk.2:12, 2Th.3:17 (cf. Deiss., LAE, 153.2); before genitive epexeg., Rom.4:11; with genitive obj., Mat.24:8, 30, 2Co.12:12; with genitive subj., Mat.16:3; __(b) a sign of warning or admonition: Mat.12:39 16:4, Luk.2:34 11:29-30, 1Co.14:22; __(with) a sign portending future events (Soph., Plat. al.): Mrk.13:4, Luk.21:7, 11 21:25, Act.2:19, Rev.12:1, 3 15:1; __(d) of miracles and wonders (MM, xxii), regarded as signs of a divine authority: Mat.12:38-39 16:1, 4 Mrk.8:11-12 Luk.11:16, 29 23:8, Jhn.2:11, 18 2:23 4:54 6:30 10:41 12:18, Act.4:16, 22; pl., Mrk.16:17, 20, Jhn.2:11, 23 3:2 6:2, 14 6:26 7:31 9:16 11:47 12:37 20:30, Act.8:6, 1Co.1:22 (Lft., Notes, 162); the same ascribed to false teachers and demons: Mat.24:24, Mrk.13:22, 2Th.2:9, Rev.13:13-14 16:14 19:20; σ. καὶ τέρατα (τ. καὶ σ.; cf. Tr., Syn., § xci), Mat.24:24, Mrk.13:22, Jhn.4:48, Act.2:19, 43 4:30 5:12 6:8 7:36 14:3 15:12, Rom.15:19, 2Th.2:9; id. before καὶ δυνάμεις, 2Co.12:12, Heb.2:4; σ. καὶ δυνάμεις, Act.8:13; δ. καὶ τ. καὶ σ., Act.2:22; σ. διδόναι, Mat.24:24, Mrk.13:22.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 69 NT verses. KJV: miracle, sign, token, wonder See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; John 12:37; Hebrews 2:4.

επιζητει epizēteō G1934 "to seek after" Verb-PAI-3S

To seek after or search for something, as seen in Matthew 6:32, where Jesus teaches that God will provide for our needs if we seek after Him.

Definition: ἐπι-ζητέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for דָּרַשׁ, 4Ki.8:8, Isa.62:12, al.; also for בָּקַשׁ, 3Ki.20:1, Ecc.7:28), Hos.3:5; פָּקַד, 4Ki.3:8 ;] "directive" of ζητέω (MM, Exp., xiv), to inquire for, seek after, wish for: with accusative of thing(s), Mat.6:32 12:39 16:4, Luk.12:30, Act.19:39, Rom.11:7, Php.4:17, Heb.11:14 13:14; with accusative of person(s), Luk.4:42, Act.12:19; with inf., Act.13:7.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 14 NT verses. KJV: desire, enquire, seek (after, for) See also: Acts 12:19; Luke 12:30; Hebrews 11:14.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

σημειον sēmeion G4592 "sign" Noun-NSN

A sign is an indication or token of something, often supernatural. In the Bible, it's used in Matthew 26:48 and Luke 2:12 to describe miracles or events that point to God.

Usage: Occurs in 69 NT verses. KJV: miracle, sign, token, wonder See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; John 12:37; Hebrews 2:4.

ου ou G3756 "no" Particle-N

This is a strong 'no', used to deny something completely. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 13:29 and John 1:21. It is a negative answer to a question.

Definition: οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); __1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. __2. Most frequently negativing a verb or other word, Mat.1:25 10:26, 38, Mrk.3:25 9:37, Jhn.8:29, Act.7:5, Rom.1:16, Php.3:3, al.; in litotes, οὐκ ὀλίγοι (i.e. very many), Act.17:4, al.; οὐκ ἄσημος, Act.21:39; πᾶς . . . οὐ, with verb, (like Heb. כֹּל . . . לֹא), no, none, Mat.24:22, Mrk.13:20, Luk.1:37, Eph.5:5, al.; in disjunctive statements, οὐκ . . . ἀλλά, Luk.8:52 Jhn.1:33 Rom.8:2o, al.; with 2 of person(s) fut. (like Heb. לֹא, with impf.), as emphatic prohibition, Mat.4:7, Luk.4:12, Rom.7:7, al. __3. With another negative, __(a) strengthening the negation: Mrk.5:37, Jhn.8:15 12:19, Act.8:39, al.; __(b) making an affirmative: Act.4:20, 1Co.12:15. __4. With other particles: οὐ μή (see: μή); οὐ μηκέτι, Mat.21:19; with μή interrog., Rom.10:18, 1Co.9:4, 5 11:22. __5. Interrogative, expecting an affirmative answer (Lat. nonne): Mat.6:26, Mrk.4:21, Luk.11:40, Jhn.4:35, Rom.9:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 1410 NT verses. KJV: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but See also: 1 Corinthians 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:32; 1 Peter 1:8.

δοθησεται didōmi G1325 "to give" Verb-FPI-3S

To give, as seen in Matthew 4:9 and John 1:12, means to bestow or grant something to someone, often with a sense of generosity or sacrifice, like God giving his only son in John 3:16

Definition: δίδωμι, [in LXX chiefly for נָתַן (53 words in all) ;] to give—in various senses, accusative to context—bestow, grant, supply, deliver, commit, yield: absol., Act.20:35; with accusative of thing(s) and dative of person(s), Mat.4:9 5:31, Jhn.1:12, al. mult.; with dative of person(s), before ἐκ, Mat.25:8; id. with genitive part.. Rev.2:17; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.3:16, Rev.20:13, al.; δεξιάς, Gal.2:9; φίλημα, Luk.7:45; γνῶσιν, Luk.1:77; κρίσιν, Jhn.5:22; of seed yielding fruit, Mrk.4:7, 8; ἐργασίαν (Deiss., LAE, 117f.), Luk.12:58; with inf. fin., Mat.27:34, Mrk.5:43, Luk.8:55, Jhn.6:52, al.; with dative of person(s) and inf., Luk.1:74, al.; with accusative and inf., Act.2:27, Rev.3:9; with dupl. accusative, Mat.20:28, Mrk.10:45, Eph.1:22 4:11, 2Th.3:9, 1Ti.2:6, al.; ἑαυτὸν δ. εἰς (Polyb., al.), Act.19:31; with dative of person(s), before κατά (MM, Exp., xi), Rev.2:28 (LXX); δ. ἵνα, Rev.3:9; δέδωκα ἐνώπιόν σου θύραν ἀνεῳγμένην, Rev.3:8. SYN.: δωρέομαι. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 380 NT verses. KJV: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield See also: 1 Corinthians 1:4; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:21.

αυτη autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-DSF

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

ει ei G1487 "if" COND

This word means 'if' and is used to express conditions or questions. It appears in many Bible verses, such as Matthew 11:14 and Romans 8:25, introducing a condition or hypothesis.

Definition: εἰ, conjunctive particle, used in conditions and in indirect questions. __I. Conditional, if; __1. with indic, expressing a general assumption; __(a) pres.: before indic, pres., Mat.11:14, Rom.8:25, al.; before imperat., Mrk.4:23 9:22, Jhn.15:18, 1Co.7:9, al.; before fut. indic., Luk.16:31, Rom.8:11, al.; before pf. or aor., with negation in apodosis, Mat.12:26, Rom.4:14, al.; similarly, before impf., Luk.17:6, Jhn.8:39; before quæst., Mat.6:23, Jhn.5:47 7:23 8:46, 1Pe.2:20; __(b) fut.: Mat.26:33, 1Pe.2:20; __(with) pf.: Jhn.11:12, Rom.6:5, al.; __(d) aor.: Luk.16:11 19:8, Jhn.13:32, 18:23, Rev.20:15, al. __2. Where the assumption is certain = ἐπεί: Mat.12:28, Jhn.7:4, Rom.5:17, al. __3. Of an unfulfilled condition, with indic, impf., aor. or plpf., before ἄν, with imp. or aor. (see: ἄν, I, i). __4. C. indic., after verbs denoting wonder, etc., sometimes, but not always, coupled with an element of doubt: Mrk.15:44, 1Jn.3:13, al. __5. C. indic., as in LXX (Num.14:3o, 1Ki.14:45, al. = Heb. אִם), in oaths, with the formula of imprecation understood in a suppressed apodosis (WM, 627; Burton, §272): Mrk.8:12, Heb.3:11" (LXX) 4:3 (LXX). __6. Rarely (cl.) with optative, to express a merely possible condition: Act.24:19 27:39, 1Co.14:10 15:37, I Pe3:14, 17. __II. Interrogative, if, whether. __1. As in cl., in indir. questions after verbs of seeing, asking, knowing, saying, etc.: with indic. pres., Mat.26:63, Mrk.15:36, Act.19:2, 2Co.13:5, al.; fut., Mrk.3:2, Act.8:22, al.; aor., Mrk.15:44, 1Co.1:16, al.; with subjc. aor. (M, Pr., 194), Php.3:12. __2. As in LXX (= Heb. אִם and interrog. הֲ, Gen.17:17, al.; see WM, 639f.; Viteau, i, 22), in direct questions: Mrk.8:23 (Tr., WH, txt.), Luk.13:23, 22:49, Act.19:2, al. __III. With other particles. __1. εἰ ἄρα, εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μήγε, see: ἄρα, γε. __2. εἰ δὲ καί, but if also: Luk.11:18; but even if, 1Co.4:7, 2Co.4:3 11:16. __3. εἰ δὲ μή, but if not, but if otherwise: Mrk.2:21, 22 Jhn.14:2, Rev.2:5, al. __4. εἰ καί, if even, if also, although: Mrk.14:29, Luk.11:8, 1Co.7:21, 2Co.4:16, Php.2:17, al. __5. καὶ εἰ, even if, see: καί __6. εἰ μή, if not, unless, except, but only: Mat.24:22, Mrk.2:26 6:5, Jhn.9:33, 1Co.7:17 (only), Gal.1:19 (cf. ἐὰν μή, 2:16; see Hort., Ja., xvi); ἐκτὸς εἰ μή, pleonastic (Bl., §65, 6), 1Co.14:5 15:2, 1Ti.5:19. __7. εἰ μήν = cl. ἦ μήν (M, Pr., 46), in oaths, surely (Eze.33:27, al.): Heb.6:14. __8. εἴ πως, if haply: Act.27:12, Rom.1:10. __9. εἴτε . . . εἴτε, whether . . . or; Rom.12:6-8, 1Co.3:22 13:8, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 459 NT verses. KJV: forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether See also: 1 Corinthians 1:14; 2 Corinthians 10:7; 1 Peter 1:6.

μη mē G3361 "not" Particle-N

Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.

Definition: μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] __I. As a neg. adv., not; __1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. __2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. __3. In conditional and final sentences, after εἰ, ἐάν, ἄν, ἵνα, ὅπως: Mat.10:14, Mrk.6:11 12:19, Luk.9:5, Jhn.6:50, Rom.11:25, al. __4. C. inf. (see M, Pr., 234f., 239, 255), __(a) after verbs of saying, etc.: Mat.2:12 5:34, Mrk.12:18, Act.15:38, Rom.2:21, al.; __(b) with artic. inf.: after a prep., Mat.13:5, Mrk.4:5, Act.7:19, 1Co.10:6, al.; without a prep., Rom.14:13, 2Co.2:1, 13 1Th 4:6; __(with) in sentences expressing consequence, after ὥστε: Mat.8:28, Mrk.3:20, 1Co.1:7, 2Co.3:7, al. __5. C. ptcp. (see M, Pr., 231f., 239), in hypothetical references to persons of a certain character or description: Mat.10:28 12:30, Luk.6:49, Jhn.3:18, Rom.4:5, 1Co.7:38, 1Jn.3:10, al.; where the person or thing being definite, the denial is a matter of opinion: Jhn.6:64, 1Co.1:28 4:7, 18, 2Co.5:21, al.; where the ptcp. has a concessive, causal or conditional force, if, though, because not: Mat.18:25, Luk.2:45, Jhn.7:49, Act.9:26, Rom.2:14 5:13, 2Co.3:14, Gal.6:9, Ju 5; where the ptcp. has a descriptive force (being such as), not: Act.9:9, Rom.1:28, 1Co.10:33, Gal.4:8, Heb.12:27, al. __6. μή prohibitive, in indep. sentences, __(a) with subjc. praes., 1 of person(s) pl.: Gal.5:26 6:9, 1Th.5:6, 1Jn.3:18; __(b) with imperat. praes., usually where one is bidden to desist from what has already begun (cf. M, Pr., 122ff.): Mat.7:1, Mrk.5:36, Luk.6:30, Jhn.2:16 5:45, Act.10:15, Rom.11:18, Jas.2:1, Rev.5:5, al.; __(with) forbidding that which is still future: with imperat. aor., 3 of person(s), Mat.24:18, Mrk.13:15, Luk.17:31, al.; with subjc. aor., 2 of person(s), Mat.3:9 10:26, Mrk.5:7, Luk.6:29, Jhn.3:7, Rom.10:6, al.; __(d) with optative, in wishes: 2Ti.4:16 (LXX); μὴ γένοιτο (see M, Pr., 194; Bl., §66, 1), Luk.20:16, Rom.3:3, al.; μή τις, Mrk.13:5, al. __II. As a conj., __1. after verbs of fearing, caution, etc., that, lest, perhaps (M, Pr., 192f.): with subjc. praes., Heb.12:15; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:4, Mrk.13:5, Luk.21:8, Act.13:40, Gal.5:15, al.; ὅρα μή (see M, Pr., 124, 178), elliptically, Rev.19:10 22:9; with indic, fut. (M, Pr., l.with), Col.2:8. __2. in order that not: with subjc. aor., Mrk.13:36, 2Co.8:20 12:6. __III. Interrogative, in hesitant questions (M, Pr., 170), or where a negative answer is expected: Mat.7:9, 10, Mrk.2:19, Jhn.3:4, Rom.3:3 10:18, 19, 1Co.1:13, al.; μή τις, Luk.22:35, al.; before οὐ (Rom.10:17, al. in Pl.), expecting an affirm, ans.; οὐ μή, Luk.18:7, Jhn.18:11. __IV. οὐ μή as emphatic negation (cf. M, Pr., 188, 190ff.; Bl. §64, 5), not at all, by no means: with indic, fut., Mat.16:22, Jhn.6:35, Heb.10:17, al.; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:2, Mrk.13:2, Luk.6:37, Jhn.13:8, 1Co.8:13, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 910 NT verses. KJV: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 1:8.

το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSN

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

σημειον sēmeion G4592 "sign" Noun-NSN

A sign is an indication or token of something, often supernatural. In the Bible, it's used in Matthew 26:48 and Luke 2:12 to describe miracles or events that point to God.

Usage: Occurs in 69 NT verses. KJV: miracle, sign, token, wonder See also: 1 Corinthians 1:22; John 12:37; Hebrews 2:4.

ιωνα Iōnas G2495 "Jonah" Noun-GSM

Jonah was a prophet who appeared in Matthew 12:39-41 and Luke 11:29-30, known for being swallowed by a whale.

Definition: Ἰωνᾶς, -ᾶ, ὁ (Heb. יוֹנָה), Jonah, the prophet: Mat.12:39-41 16:4, Luk.11:29-30, 32.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 11 NT verses. KJV: Jonas See also: John 1:42; Luke 11:30; Matthew 16:4.

του ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-GSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

προφητου prophētēs G4396 "prophet" Noun-GSM

A prophet is someone who acts as an interpreter of God's will, as seen in Matthew 5:12 and Romans 11:3. They speak forth God's message to others.

Definition: προφήτης, -ου, ὁ [πρόφημι, to speak forth), [in LXX chiefly for נָבִיא ;] one who acts as an interpreter or forth-teller of the Divine will (see Lft., Notes, 83f.; Tr., Syn., §vi), a prophet; __1. in cl. (Æsch., Hdt., Plat., al.), of the interpreters of oracles. __2. In NT, __(a) of the OT prophets: Mat.5:12, Mrk.6:15, Luk.4:27, Jhn.8:52, Rom.11:3, al.; __(b) of prophets in general: Mat.10:41 13:57 21:46, Mrk.6:4, Luk.13:33, al.; __(with) of John the Baptist: Mat.21:26, Mrk.6:15, Luk.1:76; __(d) of Christ: Mat.21:11, Jhn.6:14, Act.3:22, 23 7:37" (LXX) ; __(e) of Christian prophets in the apostolic age: Act.15:32, 1Co.12:28, Eph.2:20, al.; __(f) by meton., of the writings of prophets: Luk.24:27, Act.8:28, al.; __(g) of a poet: Tit.1:12 (on the use of the term in π. and Inscr., see Deiss., BS, 235f.; MM, xxii). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 142 NT verses. KJV: prophet See also: 1 Corinthians 12:28; Luke 9:19; 1 Peter 1:10.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

καταλιπων kataleipō G2641 "to leave behind" Verb-2AAP-NSM

To leave behind means to abandon or have something remaining, like when Jesus left Nazareth behind to preach in Galilee. This word is used in Matthew 4:13 and Acts 24:27. It can also mean to forsake or reserve something.

Definition: κατα-λείπω [in LXX chiefly far שָׁאַר, ni., hi., also for עָזַב, יָתַר, etc. ;] __1 1, to leave behind, leave: with accusative of person(s) (of thing(s)), Mat.4:13, Mrk.12:19, 21, Luk.20:31, Act.24:27 25:14, Heb.11:27; of sailing by a place, Act.21:3; ptcp., καταλιπών, redundant (Dalman, Words, 21 f.), Mat.16:4 21:17; pass., Jhn.8:9, 1Th.3:1; metaphorically, εὐθεῖαν ὁδόν, 2Pe.2:15. __2. to forsake, abandon: Mat.19:5, Mrk.10:7" (LXX) Mrk.14:52, Luk.5:28 15:4, Act.6:2, Eph.5:31" (LXX) . __3. to leave remaining, reserve: with accusative and inf., Luk.10:40; ἐμαυτῷ, Rom.11:4 (LXX); pass., Heb.4:1 (cf. ἐν-κατα-λείπω).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 25 NT verses. KJV: forsake, leave, reserve See also: 1 Thessalonians 3:1; Luke 5:28; Hebrews 4:1.

αυτους autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-APM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

απηλθεν aperchomai G565 "to go away" Verb-2AAI-3S

This word means to go away or depart from a place or person, as seen in Matthew 13:25. It can also mean to follow or go behind someone, and is often used in the Gospels to describe Jesus' travels. The word is used in various contexts, including Jesus' parables.

Definition: ἀπέρχομαι, [in LXX chiefly for הלךְ ;] __1. to go away, depart (also, in late writers, with "perfective" force, to arrive at a destination, the thought being carried on to the goal; M, Pr., 111f., 247; MM, see word); __(a) absol.: Mat.13:25, al.; ptcp., ἀπελθών, used pleonastically with other verbs as in Heb. (Dalman, Words, 21), Mat.13:28, al.; __(b) with mention of place or person: εἰς, Mat.14:15; ἐπί, Luk.24:24; πρός, Rev.10:9; ἀπό, Luk.1:38; ἐξω, Act.4:15; ἐκεῖ, Mat.2:22. __2. As in LXX, before ὀπίσω, with genitive (Heb. הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי), to go after, follow: Mrk.1:20, Jhn.12:19; metaphorically, Mrk.1:42, Rev.21:1. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 118 NT verses. KJV: come, depart, go (aside, away, back, out, … ways), pass away, be past See also: Acts 4:15; Mark 6:32; James 1:24.

Study Notes — Matthew 16:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Matthew 16:4 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 16:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 16:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 16:4
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 16:4
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 16:4
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 16:4
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 16:4
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 16:4
Sermons on Matthew 16:4

Context — The Demand for a Sign

2But He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,’ 3and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times.

4A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Then He left them and went away.

5When they crossed to the other side, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6“Watch out!” Jesus told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Luke 11:29–30	As the crowds were increasing, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation.
2	Matthew 12:39–40	Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
3	Jonah 1:17	Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish.
4	Mark 8:12	Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
5	Mark 8:38	If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
6	Matthew 15:14	Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
7	Genesis 6:3	So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.”
8	Mark 5:17–18	And the people began to beg Jesus to leave their region. As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by the demons begged to go with Him.
9	Hosea 9:12	Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them!
10	Hosea 4:17	Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!

Matthew 16:4 Summary

In Matthew 16:4, Jesus says that the people of His time are like an unfaithful spouse, seeking signs and wonders instead of following God's commands. He tells them that the only sign they will get is the sign of Jonah, which is a reference to His death and resurrection. This means that Jesus is calling people to repentance and faith, rather than just performing miracles for their entertainment (as seen in Matthew 12:40 and Luke 11:30). We can learn from Jesus' response that God wants us to seek Him through faith and obedience, rather than just seeking signs or experiences (as seen in John 14:15 and 1 John 2:3-6).

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jesus mean by 'a wicked and adulterous generation' in Matthew 16:4?

Jesus is referring to the people of His time who were spiritually unfaithful to God, much like an adulterous spouse, as seen in Hosea 1:2 and Jeremiah 3:8. They were seeking signs and wonders instead of following God's commands and teachings.

Why does Jesus say that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah?

The sign of Jonah refers to Jesus' death and resurrection, which would be a sign to the people of His divine authority and power, as seen in Matthew 12:40 and Luke 11:30. This sign would be a call to repentance and faith.

Is Jesus being harsh or dismissive when He says 'none will be given it except the sign of Jonah'?

Jesus is not being harsh, but rather, He is emphasizing that the people's demand for a sign is not a genuine seeking of God, but rather a test of His power, as seen in Matthew 12:38-39 and Deuteronomy 6:16. He is calling them to repentance and faith, rather than simply performing a miracle for their entertainment.

What can we learn from Jesus' response to the people's demand for a sign in Matthew 16:4?

We can learn that God is not obligated to perform miracles or signs for our entertainment or to prove His existence, as seen in Psalm 19:1 and Romans 1:20. Instead, we should seek to know and follow Him through faith and obedience, as seen in John 14:15 and 1 John 2:3-6.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I might be seeking signs or wonders from God instead of following His commands and teachings?
How can I be more faithful to God and less focused on seeking miraculous signs or experiences?
What does the sign of Jonah mean to me personally, and how can I apply its significance to my own life and faith?
In what ways can I be more discerning about the 'signs of the times' and less focused on worldly wisdom or appearances, as seen in Matthew 16:3?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 16:4

A wicked and adulterous generation,.... He says the same things here, as he did to the Pharisees on a like occasion, in Matthew 12:39.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 16:4

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 16:4

We meet with the same answer given to the Pharisees, . You pretend yourselves to be the children of Abraham, but you are bastards rather than his children; he saw my day afar off and rejoiced, you will not believe though you see me amongst you, and at your doors; he believed without any sign, you will not believe though I have showed you many signs. You shall have no such sign as you would have; the sign of the prophet Jonah is enough. But in our Lord’ s former reference of them to the prophet Jonah, he instanced in one particular, viz. his being three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; here he seemeth more generally to refer to Jonah as a type of him in more respects, which indeed he was. Chemnitius reckons them up thus: 1. Jonah was thrown into the sea by the mariners, to whom he had entrusted himself: Christ was delivered to death by the Jews, to whom he was specially promised. 2. Jonah was willingly thrown into the sea: Christ laid down his life, and man took it not from him. 3. Jonah by being cast into the sea saved those in the ship: Christ by his death saved the children of men. 4. Jonah after he had been in the whale’ s belly three days was cast up on dry land: Christ after three days rose again from the dead. 5. The Ninevites, though upon the preaching of Jonah they made a show of repentance, yet returning to their former sins were soon after destroyed; so were the Jews within forty years after Christ’ s ascension. So as Jonah was many ways an eminent sign and type of Christ. Our Lord having referred them to study this sign, would entertain no more discourse with them, but leaves, and departeth from them. Mark saith, , that he entering into the ship again, departed to the other side, (the ship which brought him to Dalmanutha, or Magdala), and went into the coasts of Galilee again.

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 16:4

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. Ver. 4. A wicked and adulterous generation] The same wedge serves the same knot. They shall have no new answer from Christ, till they have made better use of the old. Let them return to thee, not thou to them, Jeremiah 15:19. And he left them, and departed] Because he saw his sweet words were even spilt upon them. Frustra lavantur Aethiopes et certatur cum hypocritis: none are more obstinate and obdurate.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 16:4

(4) The sign of the prophet Jonas.—See Note on Matthew 12:39. As given by St. Mark, the answer was a more absolute refusal, “No sign” (i.e., none of the kind that was demanded) “shall be given to this generation.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 16:4

Verse 4. Wicked and adulterous generation] The Jewish people are represented in the Sacred Writings as married to the Most High; but, like a disloyal wife, forsaking their true husband, and uniting themselves to Satan and sin. Seeketh after a sign, σημειονεπιζητει, seeketh sign upon sign, or, still another sign. Our blessed Lord had already wrought miracles sufficient to demonstrate both his Divine mission and his divinity; only one was farther necessary to take away the scandal of his cross and death, to fulfil the Scriptures, and to establish the Christian religion; and that was, his resurrection from the dead, which, he here states, was typified in the case of Jonah.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 16:4

4. adulterous] See ch. Matthew 12:39. the sign of the prophet Jonas] See ch. Matthew 12:39-41. The words in Mark 8:12 are “there shall no sign be given unto this generation,” i. e. no such sign as they demanded.

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 16:4

4. Sign of the prophet Jonas — Our Lord here briefly refers them to his previous illustration of their request. Briefly, because they doubtless knew its farther exposition as previously given.

Sermons on Matthew 16:4

	Sermon	Description
	The Material Kingdom by Anton Bosch	Anton Bosch delves into the temptations Jesus faced by the Devil before starting His ministry, emphasizing how Satan targeted areas aligned with Jesus' mission and purpose. The tem
	Pharisees Test God by Asking Him for Signs by Zac Poonen	Zac Poonen addresses the Pharisees' demand for a sign from Jesus, highlighting their lack of faith and reliance on miracles rather than simple faith. He warns against seeking signs
	Spiritual Power by Smith Wigglesworth	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of faith and the indwelling of God in believers. He shares anecdotes of individuals who experienced miraculous healings and delive
	Jonah #1: Introduction by Ed Miller	In this sermon, the speaker introduces the book of Jonah and highlights three general observations about the book. The speaker emphasizes the importance of diligently and humbly pr
	Jonah #3: Work Beneath the Surface by Ed Miller	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the idea that every time God delivers, he reenacts his salvation. The sermon begins with the speaker mentioning a burden shared by another be
	Jonah #5: Jonah's Attitude by Ed Miller	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the fourth chapter of the book of Jonah. He addresses the questions that arise from Jonah's apparent lack of change in his heart towards Nin
	Jonah - Part 3 by Dai Patterson	In this sermon, the speaker discusses how Jesus Christ was portrayed as crucified among the Galatians, even though he never physically went to Galatia. The speaker emphasizes the i