12. And he sighed deeply in his spirit--The language is very strong.
These glimpses into the interior of the Redeemer's heart, in which our
Evangelist abounds, are more precious than rubies. The state of the
Pharisaic heart, which prompted this desire for a fresh sign, went to
His very soul.
and saith, Why doth this generation--"this wicked and adulterous
generation"
(Mt 16:4).
seek after a sign?--when they have had such abundant evidence
already.
There shall no sign be given unto this generation--literally, "If
there shall be given to this generation a sign"; a Jewish way of
expressing a solemn and peremptory determination to the contrary
(compare
Heb 4:5;
Ps 95:11,
Margin). "A generation incapable of appreciating such
demonstrations shall not be gratified with them." In
Mt 16:4
He added, "but the sign of the prophet Jonas." (See on
Mt 12:39, 40.)
JFB.
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