Matthew 12:38-50
English Standard Version
The Sign of Jonah
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, (A)we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, (B)“An evil and (C)adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For (D)just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, (E)so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 (F)The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and (G)condemn it, for (H)they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, (I)something greater than Jonah is here. 42 (J)The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, (K)something greater than Solomon is here.
Return of an Unclean Spirit
43 “When (L)the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through (M)waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and (N)the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this (O)evil generation.”
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, (P)his mother and his (Q)brothers[a] stood outside, asking to speak to him.[b] 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For (R)whoever (S)does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 12:46 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 48, 49
- Matthew 12:46 Some manuscripts insert verse 47: Someone told him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak to you”
Matthew 12:38-50
New International Version
The Sign of Jonah(A)(B)
38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign(C) from you.”(D)
39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.(E) 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish,(F) so the Son of Man(G) will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.(H) 41 The men of Nineveh(I) will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah,(J) and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came(K) from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.
43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.(L) That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers(M)
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother(N) and brothers(O) stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven(P) is my brother and sister and mother.”
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