The Request for a Sign Refused (Luke 11:29. From Q. Cf. Mark 8:11 f.*= Matthew 16:1 a, Matthew 16:4). Mt. uses the incident here as an additional illustration of the hostility between the Pharisees and Jesus. They ask for some more authentic and unique attestation of His claim than a miracle of healing or an everyday exorcism. But to a people that has been God's unfaithful bride no sign shall be given but that of Jonah. As he, coming from a foreign land, appeared in Nineveh preaching doom, so has the Son of Man arrived in Israel proclaiming judgment. Luke 11:30 is much to be preferred to Matthew 12:40, which is an obvious gloss (cf. its omission in Matthew 16:4), and one that enshrines an inaccurate prediction. The heart of the earth is Hades. In Matthew 12:41 f. read shall stand up in judgment (omitting the), i.e. shall accuse. Jonah was a prophet, Jesus the consummation of prophecy; Solomon a wise man, Jesus Wisdom itself (Matthew 11:19 b, Matthew 11:27).

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