Matthew 12:39-50 ▼

39 But he replied to them, |An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign. Yet no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah,

40 because just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea creature for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment and condemn the people living today, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah. But look—something greater than Jonah is here!

42 The queen of the south will stand up and condemn the people living today, because she came from so far away to hear the wisdom of Solomon. But look! Something greater than Solomon is here!|

43 |Whenever an unclean spirit goes out of a person, it wanders through waterless places looking for a place to rest, but finds none.

44 Then it says, 'I will go back to my home that I left.' When it arrives, it finds it empty, swept clean, and put in order.

45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and settle there. And so the final condition of that person becomes worse than the first. That's just what will happen to this evil generation!|

46 While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.

47 Someone told him, |Look! Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak to you.|

48 He asked the man who told him, |Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?|

49 Then pointing with his hand at his disciples, he said, |Here are my mother and my brothers,

50 because whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.|