A crowd gathers.
Luke 11:29 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 This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.
The type, this type is worthless. It seeks a proof, and a proof will not be given to it except the Jonah proof.
If dying and coming back to life isn't enough proof, nothing is.
The word translated as "evil" means "second-rate" or "worthless." This article explores it meaning in more detail. It is an adjective, but when used as a noun, therefore, "what is worthless."
The word translated as "generation" means "race", "family", and "generation". The sense is a "type" or a "specimen" of a particular type. Jesus uses this term frequently aimed at a particular type of people than his generation. It is the word from which we get the scientific "genus". This word actually appears twice in the Greek, first as "the generation" and then as "this generation". See this article.
"A sign" is Greek noun that means a "mark", "sign," or "proof." The word in Greek is used specifically to means a sign from the gods and it that sense, it means "omen", "portent," and "constellations."
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek missing word "type" is in the source we use today.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "an" should be something more like "the."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "evil" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WN --Wrong Number- The word "they" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
- WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "not" doesn't appear here but negates the verb.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "the prophet" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "type" is not shown in the English translation
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "wicked" does not capture the word's specific meaning.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "ask for" should be something more like "seeks."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "but" should be something more like "and."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "none" should be something more like "not."
- WP -- Wrongly Placed -- The word "none" doesn't appear here but negates the verb.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "sign" is not shown in the English translation.
This -- "This" is translated from a Greek adjective that means "this," "that," "the nearer." Without a noun, it has the sense of "this one" or "that one."
missing "type" -- (OS) The untranslated word is the word "type" means "race," "family," and "generation." The sense is a "type" or a "specimen" of a particular type. Jesus uses it to refer to a type of person, specifically those like the Pharisees.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
an -- (WW) -- The word translated as "an" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This word doesn't mean "an."
evil -- (CW) The word translated as "evil" means "second-rate" or "worthless." When used as a noun, it has the sense of "worthlessness" or, when referring to an action, a "failure." It doesn't have a sense of malevolence that our word "evil" does. This article explores its meaning in more detail.
generation: -- The word translated as "generation" means "race," "family," and "generation." The sense is a "type" or a "specimen" of a particular type. Jesus uses it to refer to a type of person, specifically those like the Pharisees. See this article.
they -- -- (WN) This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. This word is not plural but singular.
seek -- The Greek verb translated as "seek" has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring." It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim. It also means to "search," "inquire into," "investigate," and "examine."
a - There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
sign; - "Sign" is Greek word that means a "mark," "sign," or "proof." The word in Greek is used specifically to means a sign from the gods and it that sense, it means "omen," "portent," and "constellations," but it also means a "proof" in reasoning. The translation of "proof" often seems how Jesus uses it.
and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
there -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
no -- (WP) The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. The "not" doesn't belong here but before the verb.
sign - "Sign" is Greek word that means a "mark," "sign," or "proof." The word in Greek is used specifically to means a sign from the gods and it that sense, it means "omen," "portent," and "constellations," but it also means a "proof" in reasoning. The translation of "proof" often seems how Jesus uses it.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
given -- The verb translated as "give" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
it, -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of an indirect object.
but - (CW) "But is from Two Greek words are translated as "except." Literally, they mean "if not" but this phrase is used to mean "except." In negative questions "instead...not" might work better. This is not the word usually translated as "but."
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
sign - "Sign" is Greek word that means a "mark," "sign," or "proof." The word in Greek is used specifically to means a sign from the gods and it that sense, it means "omen," "portent," and "constellations," but it also means a "proof" in reasoning. The translation of "proof" often seems how Jesus uses it.
of - This connects the proper name to the word "sign" because the name acts as an adjective here.
Jonas -"Jonas" is from the Greek spelling of the proper name "Jonah."
the prophet. -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as this in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used
This -- "This" is translated from a Greek adjective that means "this," "that," "the nearer." Without a noun, it has the sense of "this one" or "that one."
missing "type" -- (OS) The untranslated word is the word "type" means "race," "family," and "generation." The sense is a "type" or a "specimen" of a particular type. Jesus uses it to refer to a type of person, specifically those like the Pharisees.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
a -- (WW) -- The word translated as "an" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This word doesn't mean "an."
wicked -- (CW) The word translated as "wicked " means "second-rate" or "worthless." When used as a noun, it has the sense of "worthlessness" or, when referring to an action, a "failure." It doesn't have a sense of malevolence that our word "evil" does. This article explores its meaning in more detail.
generation: -- The word translated as "generation" means "race," "family," and "generation." The sense is a "type" or a "specimen" of a particular type. Jesus uses it to refer to a type of person, specifically those like the Pharisees. See this article.
It -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
asks for -- (WW) The Greek verb translated as "asks for " has a variety of meanings around the idea of "searching" and "desiring." It has a sense of seeking with a specific aim. It also means to "search," "inquire into," "investigate," and "examine." This word doesn't mean "ask for ."
a - There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a noun doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
sign; - "Sign" is Greek word that means a "mark," "sign," or "proof." The word in Greek is used specifically to means a sign from the gods and it that sense, it means "omen," "portent," and "constellations," but it also means a "proof" in reasoning. The translation of "proof" often seems how Jesus uses it.
but -- The Greek word translated as "but " is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." This word doesn't mean "but."
none -- (WP, WW) The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words. The "not" doesn't belong here but before the verb. This word doesn't mean "none."
missing "sign" -- (MW) The untranslated word "sign" means a "mark," "sign," or "proof." The word in Greek is used specifically to means a sign from the gods and it that sense, it means "omen," "portent," and "constellations," but it also means a "proof" in reasoning. The translation of "proof" often seems how Jesus uses it.
will -- This helping verb "will " indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
given -- The verb translated as "give" means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe." It is almost always translated as some form of "give."
it, -- The word translated as "it" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of an indirect object.
except - "But is from two Greek words are translated as "except." Literally, they mean "if not" but this phrase is used to mean "except." In negative questions "instead...not" might work better.
the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
sign - "Sign" is Greek word that means a "mark," "sign," or "proof." The word in Greek is used specifically to means a sign from the gods and it that sense, it means "omen," "portent," and "constellations," but it also means a "proof" in reasoning. The translation of "proof" often seems how Jesus uses it.
of - This connects the proper name to the word "sign" because the name acts as an adjective here.
Jonas -"Jonas" is from the Greek spelling of the proper name "Jonah."
Ἡ [821 verses](article sg fem nom) "An" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article.
γενεὰ [19 verses] (noun sg fem nom)"Generation" is genea, which means "race," "family," "generation," "class," and "kind." It is a form of the word from which we get the scientific word,"genus."
αὕτη [83 verses](adj sg fem nom) "This" is houtos, which as an adjective means "this," "that," "the nearer."
γενεὰ [19 verses] (noun sg fem nom) "Generation" is genea, which means "race," "family," "generation," "class," and "kind." It is a form of the word from which we get the scientific word,"genus." -
πονηρὰ [38 verses](adj sg fem nom) "Evil" is poneros, which means "burdened by toil," "useless," and "worthless." In a moral sense, it means "worthless," "base," and "cowardly."
ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it." With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
σημεῖον [15 times](noun sg neut acc) "Sign"is from semeion, which means "mark (by which things are known)," "a proof" (in reasoning), "sign (of the future)," "sign from the gods," "signal (to do things)," "omen," "portent," "constellations," and a "standard (flag)."
ζητεῖ, [36 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "They seek" is zeteo, which means "inquire for," "search for," "seek after," "desire," and "feel the want of."
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
σημεῖον [15 times](noun sg neut nom/acc) "Sign" is from semeion, which means "mark (by which things are known)," "a proof" (in reasoning), "sign (of the future)," "sign from the gods," "signal (to do things)," "omen," "portent," "constellations," and a "standard (flag)."
οὐ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The negative, οὐ, denies, is absolute, and objective.
δοθήσεται [147 verses](3rd sg fut ind pass) "Shall be given" is didomi, which means "to give," "to grant," "to hand over," "appoint," "establish," and "to describe."
αὐτῇ [42 verses](adj sg fem dat ) "It" is aute, which means is the singular adjective used as the indirect object pronoun in the feminine. It also means "it" because feminine pronouns refer to things or ideas as much as to people. When used as a noun, it is preceded by a definite article, and it means "the same." However, feminine pronouns refer to feminine nouns, not just feminine people so this word can mean "it" as well as "she." A dative object of a preposition implies no movement but in a fixed position. With the "to be," it acts as a possessive, "his."-- The word translated as "she" is the Greek word commonly translated as third-person pronouns in English in the form of an indirect object.
εἰ μὴ [14 verses](conj particle) "Except" is ei me, which is the conjunction that means "if not," and "except." It is also used to create negative questions when the subjective negative would be used in the direct negative question. In negative questions "instead...not" might work better. εἰ is the particle use with the imperative usually to express conditions "if" or indirect questions, "whether." mê (me) is the negative used in prohibitions and expressions of doubt meaning "not" and "no." Followed by an ἀλλὰ clause, the sense is "if not" some word related to time, "at least still," and without the reference time, "at least"
τὸ [821 verses](article neut nom/acc) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones." Proper nouns do normally not take articles but they are needed when the noun ending cannot be changed to show the noun's role in the sentence as an object, indirect object, or genitive (possessive) form. However, the Greek article is very close to "this" so the purpose of an article like this can also be demonstrative.There is no vocative definite article, (despite being shown in Perseus). When the vocative is meant, no article is used or they used ω or ε. See this article.
σημεῖον [15 times](noun sg neut nom/acc) "The sign" is from semeion, which means "mark (by which things are known)," "a proof" (in reasoning), "sign (of the future)," "sign from the gods," "signal (to do things)," "omen," "portent," "constellations," and a "standard (flag)."
Ἰωνᾶ -- [8 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Jonas" is from Ionas, the Greek word for the OT prophet Jonah.
The word translated as "sign" means both "a sign from the gods" and "a proof" in reasoning.
This is a somewhat repetitive and shorter version of a verse that occurs twice in Matthew (Matthew 12:39, Matthew 16:4). The version is Matthew has a humorous double meaning that is lost in the shorter Luke version.