Mat 12:39 | MHM | STEP | v. 39 : Jesus answers by calling them an evil and adulterous generation (Matthew 12:39 ). He means not only the Pharisees, but the whole nation, because they refuse to believe despite clear evidence. “Adulterous” here means they have not been faithful to God, like a wife who breaks her marriage promises (Isaiah 57:3 ). They are not worshipping idols like before, but they are making up their own rules for believing, which is also unfaithfulness. Jesus refuses to give them any new sign except the sign of the prophet Jonah . God listens to honest prayers, but he does not satisfy selfish or insincere demands. God sometimes gave signs to help people believe, like Abraham and Gideon, but he did not give signs to those who just wanted an excuse not to believe.

‏ Matthew 12:39

v. 39: Jesus answers by calling them an evil and adulterous generation (Matthew 12:39 ^a). He means not only the Pharisees, but the whole nation, because they refuse to believe despite clear evidence. “Adulterous” here means they have not been faithful to God, like a wife who breaks her marriage promises (Isaiah 57:3 ^b). They are not worshipping idols like before, but they are making up their own rules for believing, which is also unfaithfulness.

Jesus refuses to give them any new sign except the sign of the prophet Jonah. God listens to honest prayers, but he does not satisfy selfish or insincere demands. God sometimes gave signs to help people believe, like Abraham and Gideon, but he did not give signs to those who just wanted an excuse not to believe.