Matthew 12
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. Matthew 12:38-50
Verses 38-43. The scribes and the Pharisees had witnessed enough signs to convert the whole nation, if they were so inclined. Here, they are tempting Him to show even a greater sign. Regardless, He knew their wicked intent. The only sign that demonstrated His Deity would be the sign of Jonas. No doubt, Jonas was dead and raised to life after three days. This would be the sign to the nation, yet they would not believe.
Nineveh was a wicked Gentile city, yet it repented at the preaching of Jonas. Neither is there any evidence that Jonas did any miracles at Nineveh. They repented at his preaching.
The queen of Sheba came to hear the Wisdom of Solomon. Israel had in their presence, one much greater, and wiser than Solomon. At the judgment, her response will add to the condemnation of the wicked nation of Israel.
Verses 43-45. The nation of Israel was more wicked than the surrounding Gentile nations. They were also, more self-righteous. Although the nation had the Son of God in their midst, they saw themselves as righteous. This truth is evident in all the Gospels. If that was their attitude in the presence of Christ, what would their end be after they crucified Him. They were classified as a man with seven additional unclean spirits, more wicked than the ones before.
Verses 46-50. While the Lord was rebuking the religious leaders, a crowd stood without, desiring to speak to Him. Among them were his mother, and half-brother and sisters. We learn that by now, His brothers had believed on Him. “For neither did his brethren believe in him.” John 7:5. There is no doubt this Old Testament text speaks of His half-brothers. “7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. 8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children. 9 for the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.” Psalm 69:7-9. The perpetual virginity of Mary is a fabrication by the Catholic Church, as is most of their teachings. “The Lateran Council of 649, attended by Maximus the Confessor, explicitly affirmed the teaching of Mary’s virginity before, during and after birth. [31] This was further affirmed at the sixth ecumenical council in 680.[4]” Wikipedia. Nowhere is Scripture is there any hint to her perpetual virginity. The text in Psalms 69 refutes it also.
At this point, Jesus make no distinction. All who do the will of God the Father are considered His family. God is the Father of all believers. However, believers in different dispensations are dealt with differently.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.