Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
An 'Adulterous' Generation
Commentators explain that Jesus' charge of adultery was primarily spiritual. In the Old Testament, God's covenant with Israel was often compared to a marriage. By rejecting the Messiah, the people were being unfaithful to God, like an adulterous spouse. Several scholars add that this charge also reflected the literal moral decay of that era.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
Matthew
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
10
Albert Barnes
On Matthew 12:39
18th Century
Theologian
An evil and adulterous generation. The relationship of the Jews to God was often represented as a marriage contract—God as the husband, an…
AT Robertson
On Matthew 12:39
An evil and adulterous generation (γενεα πονηρα κα μοιχαλις). They had broken the marriage tie which bound them to Jehovah (Plumme…
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 12:38–39
19th Century
Preacher
The Pharisees change their manner, but they are in pursuit of the same object. How hopeless had the religionists of that age become! Nothing would …
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Matthew 12:39
The Pharisees and teachers of the law, in Jesus’ view, represented this “wicked and adulterous generation” (v.39; cf. 11:16–24). “Adultery” was fre…
John Calvin
On Matthew 12:39
16th Century
Theologian
A wicked generation. He does not merely charge that age with malice, but pronounces the Jews—or at least the scribes, and those who resemb…
John Gill
On Matthew 12:39
17th Century
Pastor
But he answered and said to them Not to the Pharisees, who were unworthy of an answer from him; having, in such an imperious manner…
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 12:38–45
17th Century
Minister
Though Christ is always ready to hear and answer holy desires and prayers, yet those who ask wrongly, ask and do not receive. Signs were granted to…
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 12:38–45
13th Century
Philosopher
Above, the Lord refuted those disparaging His miracles and doctrine; here He rebukes those tempting Him. And here the Evangelist does two things: