But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
Christ does not rebuke them merely for asking a sign, God granted signs to Gideon, to Hezekiah, but for their malice in shutting their eyes against so many works already displayed. They seek a pretext to reject Him; their annoyance has no honest ground.
AI summary
These men flatter Him with the title Master while plotting abuse; they saw His miracles proved Him sent from God, yet demanded more signs as though He owed them fresh proof. Pride prescribes to God and then excuses itself for not submitting to Him.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 12:38-45
Then he said, I will return into my house,.... Into the land of Judea, particularly into the Scribes and Pharisees, outward professors of religion; who, notwithstanding their outward reformation, and great pretensions to holiness, are Satan's house still: he has a property in them, a claim upon them; and though he says, from whence I came out, yet he never really and properly quitted it...