29 When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”
Section Overview
The danger of false popularity continues as a theme. The crowds are increasing, but their hearts are not in the right place. They are an evil generation looking for a sign, and Jesus remarks that no sign would be given except the sign of Jonah—and the sign of Jonah will be misunderstood by virtually all. Those outside of Israel are brought in to condemn the present generation. The “queen of the South” (11:31) who visited Solomon will condemn the present generation in Israel at the final judgment because she came from far away to hear Solomon, and yet Israel refuses to listen to the one wiser than Solomon. So too, the people of Nineveh will condemn the present generation of Israel, because they repented at Jonah’s preaching and one greater than Jonah has arrived.
Section Outline
IV. Galilee to Jerusalem: Discipleship (9:51–19:27)
A. The Journey Begins (9:51–13:21) . . .
3. Controversy with Opponents (11:14–54) . . .
c. Wicked Demand for a Sign (11:29–32)
Response
Many people claim that they would believe if they only had more proof. They say that the problem with Christians is that we do not appreciate the complexity and ambiguity of life in the world, and they think themselves too sophisticated to make such a simple decision about truth. They need much more evidence before they can agree that Jesus is the only way and the only truth. But Jesus himself says that we already have enough evidence in the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah was delivered from the body of a whale after three days, so too Jesus was delivered from death by resurrection after three days. We have sufficient evidence to believe, and if we fail to believe we imitate those who refused to believe in the sign of Jonah.