Matthew 12:38-45

The claims of the Savior Matthew 12:38-45: Jesus had every right to call on people to repent and to be righteous, (1) He is greater than the temple (Matthew 12:6), (2) He is greater that Jonah (Matthew 12:41) and, (3) He is greater than Solomon. (Matthew 12:42) Jesus is great than Solomon and the Queen of Sheba even said of Solomon, "behold, the half was not told me." (1 Kings 7:10) The Jews were evil, and unfaithful to the covenant that they had made with God. These, apostate, corrupt and adulterous people desired a sign from heaven.

Jesus simply repeated some signs they had already rejected. He showed them that just like Jonah was preserved three days by miracle in the fish's belly, that He would be raised from the dead on the third day. What happened with Jonah led the people of Nineveh to repent. Jesus and what was happening with Him should have led these Jews to repentance. This would have been the result except for the fact that they were an "evil and adulterous generation."

Jesus used a powerful parable (that of an unclean spirit returning) to show the Jews that they were even worse than before because of the rejection of Jesus. They were full of evil words and evil actions. Wicked words and sinful actions are the overflowing of a heart that is filled with a spirit of wickedness. They were truly a "wicked generation." Many of these Jews would be satisfied with Jesus under no circumstances.