Matthew 12:38 Sign - For The Glory of Jesus

Print or Share

Sign

What sign are you looking for? The only sign Jesus gave us is a sign by dying on a cross for our sins.

This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references mentioned.

If you do not have a Bible, I invite you to go to BibleGateway.com or another online Bible.

38. “‘The Jews require a sign’ (1 Corinthians 1:22). To ask for a sign was evidence of unbelief: They wanted Him to prove that He was the Messiah.” (Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume 1 Matthew-Galatians. [Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004], 43)

“The Jewish leaders could attribute exorcism to the devil, they wanted to see a less ambiguous miracle that could come only from God.” (Blomberg, Craig L., The New American Commentary, Volume 22, Matthew. [Nashville: Broadman Press], 206)

39. “Their request reveals their evil intent and lack of faith (as in vv. 34-35). ‘Adulterous’ applies the common Old Testament metaphor for idolatry.” (Blomberg, 206)

“In Acts 2—7, the Holy Spirit gave to the nation of Israel abundant witness that Jesus was alive. This was the only sign they needed.” (Wiersbe, 43)

Sign of Jonah and the Queen of Sheba

40. “By Jewish reckoning, a part of a day was considered to be a whole day. And it was common Jewish idiom to refer to even a part of a day as ‘a day and a night.’” [Max Anders and Stuart K. Weber (2012). HNTC Vol. 01: Matthew. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]

“Jonah was apparently raised from the dead when he was in the fish. God brought him out of darkness and death into light and life. Jonah’s experience was typical of the coming interment and resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV. [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 69)

“Jesus refused their request for a sign. However, he did promise the ultimate miracle one day in their future.” [Max Anders and Stuart K. Weber (2012). HNTC Vol. 01: Matthew. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]

41-42. Jesus “compares those rejecting him with those Gentiles who actually repented and heeded God’s Word favorably—the Ninevites (see Jonah 3) and the Queen of Sheba (see 1 Kings 10:1-10).” (Blomberg, 207)

“Heathen Sheba believed in Yahweh because of his anointed king.” [Max Anders and Stuart K. Weber (2012). HNTC Vol. 01: Matthew. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]

“The citizens of Nineveh will witness against the rulers of Israel, for they repented at Jonah’s preaching, The Queen of Sheba will also witness against them. She traveled a long distance to hear Solomon’s wisdom, yet the Jewish leaders rejected the wisdom of Christ, who was in their very midst!” (Wiersbe, 44)

Unclean Spirit

43. “Ownership by the devil must be replaced with ownership by Christ (cf. Romans 6:15-18). Moral reform without Christian commitment always remains inadequate.” (Blomberg, 207)

44. “You can quit doing many things, but that won’t make you a Christian.” (McGee, 70)

45. “The hardest people in the world are unsaved church members because they think they are all right.” (McGee, 70)

“There is a personal application. It is not enough to clean house; we must also invite in the right tenant. There must be regeneration, the receiving of Christ into the heart (see, Revelation 3:20).” (Wiersbe, 44)

Jesus Mother and Brothers

46-47. “The Lord is saying that the strongest relationship today is the relationship between Christ and a believer.” (McGee, 70)

“The interruption of Jesus’ teaching by the arrival of his mother and brothers is significant. It was a graphic occasion for him to proclaim how a person must relate to him in order to participate in his spiritual family.” [Max Anders and Stuart K. Weber (2012). HNTC Vol. 01: Matthew. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]

48. “Jesus loved and honored his physical family (e.g., John 19:25-27), and he intended no insult to them. However, their presence gave him the opportunity to define an even more significant family.” [Max Anders and Stuart K. Weber (2012). HNTC Vol. 01: Matthew. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com] “

49. “The head of this new family is God, the heavenly Father. Membership in this family is determined not by blood but by a relationship with the Father through covenant faith, evidenced by obedience to his will.” [Max Anders and Stuart K. Weber (2012). HNTC Vol. 01: Matthew. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]

50. “Some of these spiritual family members were present—his disciples, those who had placed their faith in him and were showing true obedience to the Father. Jesus was finished with Israel for the moment. He was emphasizing his rejection by Israel and his withdrawal to outcasts and Gentiles.” [Max Anders and Stuart K. Weber (2012). HNTC Vol. 01: Matthew. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]

“Jesus did not want the honor that comes from people. While He was not disrespectful toward His physical family, He did emphasize the family of God.” (Wiersbe, 44)

Jesus “points to believers as people who should care for each other as if they were family members.” (Blomberg, 209)

References

In this article Scripture quotations taken from KJV.

Blomberg, Craig L., The New American Commentary, Volume 22, Matthew. Nashville: Broadman Press
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
Robertson, A. T., A Harmony of the Gospels. New York, HarperCollins Publishers
Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume 1 Matthew-Galatians. Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004

Demons Parables

Print or Share