Luke 11:29
What does Luke 11:29 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 11:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 11:29 means
As the crowds continue to gather, Jesus pronounces a strong condemnation upon "this generation," labeling it "an evil generation." Their defining characteristic is that they persistently "seek after a sign"—meaning a miraculous external display—despite having already witnessed numerous signs and wonders. Jesus declares that no sign will be given to them except for "the sign of Jonah," which is a prophetic foreshadowing of His own death and resurrection.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, he began to say, This generation is an evil generation: it seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, he began to say, This generation is an evil generation: it seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when a great number of people came together to him, he said, This generation is an evil generation: it is looking for a sign and no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the multitudes crowding together upon him, he began to say, `This generation is evil, a sign it doth seek after, and a sign shall not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the multitudes running together, he began to say: This generation is a wicked generation. It asketh a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But as the crowds thronged together, he began to say, This generation is a wicked generation: it seeks a sign, and a sign shall not be given to it but the sign of Jonas.
Context
This verse marks a shift to Jesus' condemnation of the unbelieving generation, directly following His teaching on true blessedness. It transitions into His criticism of those who demand signs despite ample evidence. The mention of the "sign of Jonah" prepares the reader for the subsequent elaboration on this prophetic sign and the comparison to historical figures who responded to lesser revelation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 8:11
And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, trying him.
- Luke 11:50
that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;
- Luke 11:16
And others, trying him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
- Luke 9:41
And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? bring hither thy son.
- Matthew 16:1
And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and trying him asked him to show them a sign from heaven.
- Luke 14:25
Now there went with him great multitudes: and he turned, and said unto them,
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