Mat 12:38-42 | TNotes | STEP | 12:38 a miraculous sign to prove: A popular expectation of the Messiah, probably fueled by biblical accounts about Moses (Exod 4:1-9 ; see also Isa 7:11 , 14 ; 38:7-8 ), was that the Messiah would display spectacular miracles on command (see Matt 16:1-4 ; Luke 23:8 ; John 2:18 ; 4:48 ; 6:30 ; 7:31 ; 9:16 ; 11:47 ; 1 Cor 1:22 ).

12:38 ^a a miraculous sign to prove: A popular expectation of the Messiah, probably fueled by biblical accounts about Moses (Exod 4:1-9 ^b; see also Isa 7:11 ^c, 14 ^d; 38:7-8 ^e), was that the Messiah would display spectacular miracles on command (see Matt 16:1-4 ^f; Luke 23:8 ^g; John 2:18 ^h; 4:48 ⁱ; 6:30 ^j; 7:31 ^k; 9:16 ^l; 11:47 ^m; 1 Cor 1:22 ⁿ).
Summary for Matt 12:39-40: 12:39-40 ^o To demand a sign demonstrates a lack of faith.

• The sign of the prophet Jonah consisted of Jonah’s “resurrection” from the large fish after three days and three nights as well as his preaching (12:41 ^p; Luke 11:32 ^q); it was analogous to Jesus’ burial and resurrection and his preaching. Jesus was drawing a parallel between Jonah’s experience and what he himself would experience. He was not predicting an exact chronology of his death and resurrection.

• Heart of the earth is a euphemism for the grave.
Summary for Matt 12:41-42: 12:41-42 ^r someone greater: Jesus is greater than the Temple (12:6 ^s), a prophet (Jonah), and a king (Solomon); therefore, rejection of him entails greater judgment on this “evil, adulterous generation” (12:39 ^t).
12:42 ^u The queen of Sheba: See 1 Kgs 10:1-13 ^v.