THE SIGN OF JONAH

Passage: Luke 11:29-32

Key verse: 32

NIV

The Sign of Jonah(A)

29 As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign,(B) but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.(C) 30 For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom;(D) and now something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah;(E) and now something greater than Jonah is here.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Sign of Jonah

29 (A)When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, (B)“This generation is an evil generation. (C)It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as (D)Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 (E)The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and (F)condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, (G)something greater than Solomon is here. 32 (H)The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and (I)condemn it, for (J)they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, (K)something greater than Jonah is here.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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1. A wicked generation (29-30)

Wickedness is unbelief. Even though crowds grew in numbers in response to Jesus' ministry, they did not believe. They saw miraculous signs; they heard Jesus' gracious words; but they didn't repent or believe. Jonah was a reluctant prophet who spent 3 days in the belly of a big fish. He came out and preached repentance to the Ninevites. Jesus Christ would rise from the dead after 3 days in the tomb. This would be a sign of judgment to unbelieving people and a glorious hope to believers of all generations.

2. The witness of history (31-32)

The Queen of Sheba came to hear the wisdom of Solomon. She was moved by his words. Her simple faith is a judgment on the people of Jesus' time, for Jesus was greater than Solomon. Even the people of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah. Jesus was greater than Jonah, but the sign seekers did not repent and believe.

Prayer: Lord, give me and the people of my generation repentant, believing hearts.

One Word: Repent and believe the gospel