12:39a

Jesus responded to the scribes and Pharisees in a way that showed that he refused to do what they wanted. The Greek introduces this refusal with a conjunction that is often translated as “but.”

In some languages, it is not natural or necessary to use a “but” here.

Jesus replied: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as replied indicates that Jesus responded to the scribes and Pharisees. It does not indicate that he was answering a question.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

He responded (God’s Word)
-or-
He said to them

wicked: This word also means “bad,” “evil,” or “sinful.”

adulterous generation: The word adulterous refers to someone who is unfaithful to his/her spouse. Here this word is used in a figurative way. Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees adulterous because they were unfaithful to God. They were unfaithful in the sense that they did not obey him and follow him with all their hearts.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

• Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:

you are people who are ⌊unfaithful to God like an⌋ adulterous ⌊spouse/wife⌋
-or-
you are ⌊like a married woman who is⌋ immoral

• Translate the meaning. For example:

you are not following God
-or-
you do not obey God

generation: The word generation refers to all the people who lived at the same time as Jesus. Here it refers specifically to the scribes and Pharisees.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

the people of this day (Good News Translation)
-or-
you are people who

demands a sign: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as demands also means “wants, seeks, desires.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

asks for (New International Version)
-or-
want (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
want to see (New Century Version)

12:39b

but: There is a contrast here. The contrast is between what the people wanted, and what Jesus would give them. The Berean Standard Bible introduces this contrast with the conjunction but.

none will be given it: This clause means that “no sign will be done” or “no sign will be shown” to this wicked and adulterous generation.

This clause is passive. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

no sign will be shown to this wicked and adulterous generation
-or-
no sign will be given to them (New Century Version)
-or-
no sign will be done for you

• Use an active verb. For example:

the only sign I will give them (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
this generation will receive no sign
-or-
you will not see any miracle

except the sign of the prophet Jonah: This clause refers to the miracle that happened to the prophet Jonah. He was in the stomach of a huge fish for three days. Then he came out alive.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

except a sign like what happened to the prophet Jonah

-or-

a miracle ⌊that is like the one that God did⌋ to the prophet Jonah ⌊long ago⌋

This clause does not mean that Jonah did a miracle.

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