LOOK FOR ONLY ONE SIGN: JONAH
Jesus called pharisees an evil and adulterous generation because they tested him to see if he could prove  that he was the messiah by giving them a sign that they could see. This seems like a reasonable request until we recognize that spiritual truths cannot be proven by physical evidence because the flesh (i.e. natural things) and spirit are opposed to each other. The pharisees  were evil, therefore, because they were focused on physical signs that could be seen instead of spiritual signs which are matters of faith which cannot be seen.

The problem for pharisees is that they only have eyes to see what can be seen physically, but do not have eyes to see spiritual things. This describes the condition of people who have religion but not faith.

The need for physical evidence of some kind is still very much at work in religion today. Super-spiritual people love to find evidence of God in everyday matters. They see beneficial coincidences and material blessings of all kinds as evidence that God has given them favor that allows them to see him at work (whether for good or ill) in their lives and in the lives of others. They are, in Jesus’ words, are evil and adulterous.

STUDY TIP: Read more about signs in Signs, Wonders and Miracles.

Jesus rebuke to the pharisees still applies to pharisees today. And his suggestion that they look only to the sign of Jonah also still applies today. The problem for pharisees in all generations is that they do not understand the symbolism of the sign of Jonah.

Understanding of this symbolism begins with understanding of the symbolism of water and big fish.

Water symbolizes religion.***

Big fish symbolizes religion leaders.