THE SIGN OF JONAH

Passage: Matthew 12:38-42

Key verse: 39

NIV

The Sign of Jonah(A)(B)

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign(C) from you.”(D)

39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.(E) 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish,(F) so the Son of Man(G) will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.(H) 41 The men of Nineveh(I) will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah,(J) and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came(K) from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

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ESV

The Sign of Jonah

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, (A)we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, (B)“An evil and (C)adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For (D)just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, (E)so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 (F)The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and (G)condemn it, for (H)they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, (I)something greater than Jonah is here. 42 (J)The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, (K)something greater than Solomon 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.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Sign-seekers (38-39a)

The Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign to prove his Messiahship. But a sign-seeker never makes a commitment. Jesus called sign-seekers wicked and adulterous. Instead of seeking signs, men should repent.

2. The sign of Jonah (39b-41)

Jesus offers only the sign of Jonah. Jonah, the reluctant prophet, was swallowed by a great fish. After 3 days he came out and preached to the city of Nineveh. The people and even the cattle there repented. Jesus is greater than Jonah. He died for the sins of the world and rose after 3 days in the tomb. He is the sign of God's love. Those who reject this gospel of God's love will be condemned by the people of Nineveh on the day of judgment.

3. Solomon's wisdom (42)

The Queen of Sheba had more spiritual insight than the people of Jesus' time. She recognized even Solomon as a man of God, and came to listen to him.

Prayer: Lord, help me to repent before your word and commit my heart to you.

One Word: Don't be a sign-seeker; repent