The term "wicked generation" is used in the Bible to describe a group of people characterized by their persistent disobedience, unbelief, and moral corruption. This term is often employed by Jesus and other biblical figures to highlight the spiritual and moral failings of a particular group or era.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 12:39 : "Jesus replied, 'A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.'" Here, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and scribes who demand miraculous signs as proof of His authority. The term "wicked generation" underscores their spiritual blindness and lack of faith, despite the clear evidence of Jesus' divine mission.

2. Matthew 16:4 : "A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." This reiteration emphasizes the persistent unbelief and spiritual adultery of the people, who are more interested in miraculous displays than in genuine repentance and faith.

3. Mark 8:38 : "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father's glory with the holy angels." Jesus warns of the consequences of aligning with a generation that rejects Him, highlighting the moral and spiritual decay prevalent among the people.

4. Luke 11:29 : "As the crowds were increasing, Jesus said, 'This generation is a wicked generation. It demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.'" The repetition of this theme in Luke further underscores the widespread unbelief and moral corruption of the people during Jesus' ministry.

Characteristics of a Wicked Generation:

· Unbelief and Skepticism: A wicked generation is marked by a refusal to believe in God's works and words, often demanding signs and wonders as a prerequisite for faith.

· Moral Corruption: Such a generation is characterized by moral decay, including idolatry, immorality, and a general departure from God's commandments.

· Spiritual Adultery: The term "adulterous" is used metaphorically to describe a generation that is unfaithful to God, pursuing other gods or worldly desires instead of remaining true to the covenant with the Lord.

· Rejection of Prophets and Messengers: A wicked generation often rejects the prophets and messengers sent by God, as seen in the rejection of Jesus and His teachings.

Historical Context:

In the New Testament, the term "wicked generation" is primarily directed at the Jewish leaders and people of Jesus' time who failed to recognize Him as the Messiah. Despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teachings, they remained hardened in their unbelief and resistant to His message of repentance and salvation.

Theological Implications:

The concept of a "wicked generation" serves as a warning to all believers about the dangers of unbelief and moral compromise. It calls for self-examination and a return to faithfulness, urging individuals and communities to heed God's call to repentance and righteousness. The repeated use of this term in the Gospels highlights the importance of recognizing and responding to God's revelation in Jesus Christ, lest one be counted among those who are spiritually blind and morally corrupt.Matthew 12:45
Then goes he, and takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also to this wicked generation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 16:4
A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Old and New Testaments have Many Things in Common -- Far More ...
... to the occult powers and activities of the Wicked One, who ... Lie." That this is one
of the many names of the ... fuller notes on the force of these titles we again ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the old and new testaments.htm

The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... his wicked way to save his life; the same wicked man shall ... sinecures in the Christian
Church, and that the names of office are not empty titles of honour ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm

Psalm LXXXIII.
... the congregation of God's people in the titles of many ... The meaning of these names
is as follows: Madian is ... destroyed in as far as they are wicked, that being ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxiii.htm

Antichrist.
... he endeavors to complete by his wicked spirit working ... Nor has any generation, since
the world began ... invented so many places, offices, names, titles, orders, vows ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxiii antichrist.htm

Introduction.
... assume the testamentary form we have the titles only of ... various orders and degrees;
in Enoch the names of the ... men war and bloodshed and every wicked work, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... and things of worship of Antichrist; it dwells in the titles and names that are ... and
wicked spirits do haunt the desolate houses of the wicked, when they ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

The Gospel of Luke
... Epistles in a list of Gentile names, see 2 ... a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord""titles
which reach ... so shall it be also unto this wicked generation" (or "race ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of luke.htm

The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... government, administered over a world in which the wicked and the ... 11. Besides the
names of the authors, or the occasion of their ... (2.) Titles expressing the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxi the poetical books.htm

Jesus' Conception of Himself
... Matthew 22:1-14) and The Wicked Husbandmen (Matthew 21 ... men, is expressed by the
unqualified names, "the Father ... These titles in which Jesus gave expression to his ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/iv jesus conception of himself.htm

On the Arian Symbol "Unoriginate. " this Term Afterwards Adopted ...
... This then being the force of such titles, in like manner ... For the Spirit of the Word
in us names through us ... will be stoned and crushed; for the wicked shall be ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter vii on the arian symbol.htm

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