Luke 11:29
And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
Luke 11:29 · King James Version
Meaning
Jesus often used parables and metaphors to convey deep spiritual truths to the people he was teaching. In this verse, Jesus is addressing a crowd that has gathered to hear him speak. He refers to them as an evil generation because they are seeking a sign from him to prove his authority and power. Jesus explains that the only sign they will be given is the sign of Jonas the prophet, who was in the belly of a great fish for three days and three nights before being delivered. This sign foreshadows Jesus' own death and resurrection, showing that just as Jonas was brought out of the fish after three days, Jesus will conquer death and come back to life. By using this reference, Jesus is not only rebuking the crowd for their lack of faith but also pointing them towards the ultimate sign of his divinity and power through his death and resurrection.
Theological Overview
Jesus' statement in this verse, where he criticizes the generation for seeking signs, highlights the importance of faith over seeking constant validation through miraculous occurrences. By referencing the sign of Jonah, Jesus points to his impending death and resurrection. The story of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish for three days serves as a foreshadowing of Jesus' own burial and resurrection after three days. Through this reference, Jesus is indicating that the ultimate sign of his power and authority will be his triumph over death. This verse reminds believers that true faith does not depend on signs and wonders, but on trust in the redemptive work of Jesus. It challenges us to rely on the ultimate sign of Jesus' resurrection as the foundation of our faith, rather than seeking constant proof of his power through miraculous signs.
Luke 11:29 in other translations
American Standard Version
And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, he began to say, This generation is an evil generation: it seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah.
World English Bible
When the multitudes were gathering together to him, he began to say, “This is an evil generation. It seeks after a sign. No sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah, the prophet.
Douay-Rheims
And the multitudes running together, he began to say: This generation is a wicked generation. It asketh a sign: and a sign shall not be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when the people were gathered thicke together, he began to say, This is a wicked generation: they seeke a signe, and there shall no signe be giuen them, but the signe of Ionas the Prophet.