Matthew 12:38–50
Jesus’ work made people think about their attitudes. The Jewish leaders did not like this. But they tried to hide that fact. They used arguments that they thought were clever. But they were foolish arguments.
The Pharisees accused Jesus (Matthew 12:24). They did not like Jesus’ reply (Matthew 12:25–37). So they met with the teachers of the Law. These men were the religious experts. They explained the meaning of the OT. These two groups thought of a very clever argument.
They did not ask for just a miracle. They asked for a ‘sign’ from Jesus. In the OT, this word had a special meaning. It referred to particular events. These events would announce that God’s kingdom was coming. In fact, they asked for a ‘sign’ that would also be a miracle.
There is a probable reason for this. Moses wrote down their Law. God showed that Moses was his prophet. God sent a storm to show this. (Read Exodus 20:18–19.) God also sent special food (manna) from heaven. (Read Exodus 16:4–5.) Moses spoke about a greater prophet. If Jesus was this prophet, surely he would have the same sort of ‘signs’.
Jesus refused to give them a sign. There was a reason for this. The Pharisees did not believe that he was the Messiah. That was why they asked for a sign. In the OT, God’s relationship with his people was called a marriage. The Jews broke that relationship with him. It was the same as adultery. (This is when one partner in a marriage has sex with another person’s husband or wife.) Jesus said that the teachers of the Law had done this. They had gone away from God.
Those people who really studied the OT would believe in Jesus. They would hear his teaching. They would see his work. But nothing would change the attitudes of the Pharisees. So, a sign would be of no use to them.
Jesus explained his meaning some more (Matthew 12:41–42). He made a contrast between the Pharisees and two OT events. First, he spoke about the people from Nineveh. They were the ones who lived in the time of Jonah. The people in this city had no spiritual advantages. They were very wicked. But they repented when Jonah warned them. Jonah was only a minor prophet. He did no miracles. He was actually a stupid man. He even refused to obey God at first. But the people still repented. Second, there was the Queen from the country called Sheba. She travelled a great distance to meet king Solomon. (Read 1 Kings 10:1–13.) And she realised that his wisdom came from God.
The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees were not like them. Their advantages were much greater. They had much more evidence than the people in OT times. But they were refusing to accept Jesus. They were making plots against him.
So, extra evidence would be of no value. Jesus did actually give them one great sign. He would come back to life again. (He suggested this in Matthew 12:39-40.) But even this would not persuade his enemies. (Read Luke 16:19–31.)
Jesus warned and encouraged
Some people refused to welcome Jesus. He emphasised that this was very serious. But he would welcome all those who followed him. Jewish history helps to explain Matthew 12:43–45. At one time the Jews worshipped many idols (false gods). This was before the Jews had to go far away from their own country. Their enemies took them to the country called Babylon. This time in a foreign country was God’s judgement on them.
After that, the people gave up all idols. (Note: An idol is anything that takes God’s place in a person’s life. But many people make images. They can use wood or metal. Then they say that it is a god.) But, by Jesus’ time, the Jews had developed a religion that was even worse. It could not recognise Jesus when he came.
Jesus’ parable showed that their state was very bad. Satan now ruled them. He ruled them even more than he had before. There may be a reference here to John the Baptist too. Many people listened carefully to what John taught. Then Jesus came. But they did not understand that John had been speaking about Jesus. So, they were opposing Jesus now.
Then members of Jesus’ family came to see him. (Read Matthew 12:46–50. Read Mark 3:21–22 too.) Jesus used their visit. He explained an important point to his listeners. It was this. The real family of God are the people who follow Jesus.
Questions
- Think about friends who have explained why they are not Christians. What clever but foolish arguments have they used? What should you say to them?
- Many people say that they are Christians. But their faith does not seem to last. What is the reason for this?
- Can a whole country or a group of people become evil (Matthew 12:39a)? Can they all refuse to accept God? How would this affect the way that we declare the gospel (Good News)?
