What does Matthew 12:39-40 mean?
"He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." - Matthew 12:39-40
Matthew 12:39-40 - "He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for 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 a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Generate a digital art interpretation of a significant biblical scene depicted in Matthew 12:39-40 - 'He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for 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 a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.' Emphasize a contrast between light and darkness to represent the journey from the belly of a huge fish to the heart of the earth.
The verse Matthew 12:39-40 from the King James Version of the Bible reads, "But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
This verse is part of a broader conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the time, who were constantly questioning and challenging him. In this particular instance, the Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign to prove his authority. Jesus responds by rebuking them, calling them an "evil and adulterous generation" for seeking a sign instead of having faith. He then goes on to prophesy his own death and resurrection, using the story of Jonah from the Old Testament as a parallel.
The themes present in this verse are faith, prophecy, and the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus is challenging the unbelief of the Pharisees and emphasizing the importance of faith in his ministry. The reference to Jonah and the symbolism of three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, as well as the Son of man being in the heart of the earth, foreshadow Jesus' own death and resurrection. This passage points to the overarching theme of salvation and redemption through Christ's sacrifice and victory over death.
The context of this verse is important to understand the significance of Jesus' response to the Pharisees. Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus clashing with the religious authorities of the time, who often sought to trap him in his words or discredit his teachings. In this passage, Jesus is addressing their lack of faith and their demand for a sign as a way to test him. Instead of giving in to their request, Jesus uses the opportunity to teach a deeper spiritual truth and to foreshadow his own death and resurrection.
The symbolism in this verse is rich and multi-layered. The story of Jonah serves as a type of Christ, a foreshadowing of Jesus' own death and resurrection. By referencing Jonah's time in the belly of the whale, Jesus is drawing a parallel to his own impending burial and resurrection. The three days and three nights are significant as they align with the time frame of Jonah's ordeal and with Jesus' own time in the tomb. This symbolism underscores the prophetic nature of Jesus' mission and the divine plan for humanity's redemption through his sacrifice.
Overall, Matthew 12:39-40 is a powerful and prophetic passage that speaks to the central message of the Christian faith. It highlights the importance of faith and the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection. It challenges the unbelief of the religious leaders of the time and points to the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death. This verse serves as a reminder of the hope and salvation that we have through Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of God's plan for humanity.
Matthew 12:39-40 Artwork
Matthew 12:39-40 - "He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for 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 a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Matthew 22:37-39
Genesis 39:6-12
Matthew 12:40 - "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Matthew 12:39 - "But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:"
Matthew 27:39 - "¶ And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,"
Matthew 22:40 - "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Exodus 39:12 - "And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst."
Matthew 21:39 - "And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him."
Mark 12:39 - "And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:"
Matthew 24:40 - "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."
Matthew 13:39 - "The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels."
Matthew 22:39 - "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
John 12:39 - "Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,"
Matthew 13:40 - "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world."
Matthew 15:39 - "And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala."
Matthew 25:39 - "Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?"
Ezekiel 40:39 - "¶ And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering."
Matthew 3:11-12
Matthew 3:11-12
Exodus 39:40 - "The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,"
Matthew 21:40 - "When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?"
Genesis 40:12 - "And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days:"
Matthew 10:40 - "¶ He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."
John 19:39-40 - "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury."
Psalm 37:39-40 - "But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble. And the Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him."
Matthew 10:39 - "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."
Ezekiel 39:12 - "And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land."
1 Chronicles 12:39 - "And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them."
Job 40:12 - "Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place."