Matthew 16:4
What does Matthew 16:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 16:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 16:4 means
Jesus labels the generation as "evil and adulterous" for continually seeking outward signs while rejecting the deeper spiritual truths presented to them. He declares that no sign will be given to them except "the sign of Jonah." This refers to Jesus' own death, burial, and resurrection on the third day, mirroring Jonah's three days in the belly of the great fish. Having exposed their insincerity, Jesus withdraws from them, demonstrating His refusal to engage further with their hardened disbelief.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of Jonah. And he left them, and departed.
KJV
King James Version · 1611A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of Jonah. And he left them, and departed.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949An evil and false generation is searching after a sign; and no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah. And he went away from them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`A generation evil and adulterous doth seek a sign, and a sign shall not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet;' and having left them he went away.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. And he left them, and went away.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and a sign shall not be given to it save the sign of Jonas. And he left them and went away.
Context
This verse delivers Jesus' conclusive and severe judgment against the religious leaders, explaining why He refuses their demand for a sign. His mention of 'the sign of Jonah' foreshadows His own crucifixion and resurrection, a crucial event in God's redemptive plan. His departure from them marks a clear separation and sets the stage for Him to instruct His disciples privately.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hosea 4:17
Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone.
- Matthew 15:14
Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit.
- 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 Jonah the prophet:
- Acts 18:6
And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
- Genesis 6:3
And Jehovah said, My Spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.
- Hosea 9:12
Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, so that not a man shall be left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
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