Matthew 16:4

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Γενεὰ πονηρὰ καὶ μοιχαλὶς σημεῖον ἐπιζητεῖ· καὶ σημεῖον οὐ δοθήσεται αὐτῇ, εἰ μὴ τὸ σημεῖον Ἰωνᾶ τοῦ προφήτου. Καὶ καταλιπὼν αὐτούς, ἀπῆλθεν.

Transliteration

Genea ponēra and moichalis sēmeion epizētei; and sēmeion not dothēsetai to it, ei mē the sēmeion of Iōna the prophētou. And katalipōn them, he apēlthen.

Grammar Details

*Genea*: nominative singular feminine - generation
*ponēra*: nominative singular feminine - evil/wicked
*moichalis*: nominative singular feminine - adulterous
*sēmeion*: accusative singular neuter - sign
*epizētei*: present active indicative, 3rd person singular - seeks after/demands
*dothēsetai*: future passive indicative, 3rd person singular - will be given
*ei mē*: conditional negative expression - except/if not
*Iōna*: genitive singular masculine - Jonah
*prophētou*: genitive singular masculine - prophet
*katalipōn*: aorist active participle, nominative singular masculine - having left
*apēlthen*: aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular - he departed/went away

Word Meanings

*Genea*: generation/race/family
*ponēra*: evil/wicked/corrupt
*moichalis*: adulterous/unfaithful
*epizētei*: seeks after/demands/requires
*katalipōn*: having left/abandoned/forsaken
*apēlthen*: departed/went away

ℹ️

About this Translation

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: King James VersionBest for: Original-language word studies

🎯 Translation Approach

Classic King James Version text presented with Strong's numbering to link English words to their underlying Hebrew and Greek terms. Prioritizes literal/formal correspondence while enabling original-language word study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Each English term is keyed to a Strong's number, enabling direct lookup of the underlying Hebrew or Greek word.
KJV text basis: Employs the classic King James Version wording known for formal equivalence and literary style.
Study-focused layout: Optimized for research and analysis, prioritizing lexical access over uninterrupted readability.
Concordance compatibility: Strong's numbers map to widely available concordances and lexicons for deeper study.

✅ Strengths

Strong linkage to original Hebrew/Greek via Strong's numbers
High concordance with source wording
Well-suited for in-depth word studies and exegesis
Widely recognized and referenced KJV text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language can be difficult for modern readers
Reference numbers can disrupt continuous reading
Less suitable for public or devotional reading compared to modern translations

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Students of biblical languages
Pastors and teachers
Serious Bible students
Researchers needing lexical linkage
Readers preferring KJV tradition

Consider alternatives for

New believers
Casual devotional reading
Children and young readers
English language learners

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Matt 12:39-40 : 39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Luke 11:29-30 : 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. 30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
Acts 2:40 : 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Acts 18:6 : 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
Matt 15:14 : 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Mark 5:17-18 : 17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. 18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
Mark 8:12 : 12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
Mark 8:38 : 38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Gen 6:3 : 3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
Hos 4:17 : 17 Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.
Hos 9:12 : 12 Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
Jonah 1:17 : 17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Matt 12:38-41
4 verses
90%
38Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Luke 11:29-30
2 verses
86%
29And 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.
30For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
Mark 8:11-13
3 verses
82%
11And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
12And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
13And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
Matt 16:1-3
3 verses
74%
1The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2{G1161} He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
Luke 11:16
72%
16And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
Luke 17:22-23
2 verses
71%
22And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
23And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
Matt 11:16
69%
16But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
Matt 16:5
69%
5And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
Luke 11:32
69%
32The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
John 4:48
68%
48Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
Matt 12:45
67%
45Then goeth he, and taketh 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 unto this wicked generation.
Matt 17:17
67%
17Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
Luke 9:41
67%
41And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
John 4:3
67%
3He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.
John 6:22
67%
22The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;
Luke 18:29
67%
29And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you , There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
Luke 4:42
67%
42And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them.
Matt 8:18
67%
18Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side.
Luke 7:31
67%
31And the Lord said, Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like?
Mark 3:7
66%
7But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea,
Mark 5:17
66%
17And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
Matt 24:4
66%
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mark 6:46
66%
46And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
Mark 11:13
66%
13And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
Matt 8:34
66%
34And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
Luke 12:56
66%
56Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?
Matt 21:19
66%
19And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Matt 7:6
66%
6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
John 2:18
66%
18Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
Matt 24:2
66%
2And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Matt 11:20
66%
20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
Matt 11:7
66%
7And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
Luke 3:7
66%
7Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Luke 14:25
66%
25And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
Matt 24:34
66%
34Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
John 6:30
66%
30They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
Mark 13:30
66%
30Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.
Mark 13:4
66%
4Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
Luke 7:24
66%
24And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
Exod 4:8
66%
8And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
Mark 6:48
66%
48And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.