Matthew 12:38-50

New King James Version

The Scribes and Pharisees Ask for a Sign^(A)

^38 (B)Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”

³⁹ But He answered and said to them, “An evil and ^(C)adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ^40 (D)For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ^41 (E)The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and ^(F)condemn it, ^(G)because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. ^42 (H)The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

An Unclean Spirit Returns^(I)

^43 (J)“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, ^(K)he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. ⁴⁴ Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; ^(L)and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Send for Him^(M)

⁴⁶ While He was still talking to the multitudes, ^(N)behold, His mother and ^(O)brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. ⁴⁷ Then one said to Him, “Look, ^(P)Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.”

⁴⁸ But He answered and said to the one who told Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” ⁴⁹ And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My ^(Q)brothers! ⁵⁰ For ^(R)whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”