38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 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. 41 The 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. 42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. (Matthew 12:38-42 KJV)
The Sign of Jonah
In this passage, Jesus replied to the request of some Pharisees. This was likely another group of Pharisees; they were not the ones who accused him of using Beelzebub’s power to work miracles (Mt 12:24). Though Jesus had worked many miracles already, this group of Pharisees wasn’t ready to accept him as the Messiah unless he provided additional proof as they demanded.
They address Jesus with the title of Master (Mt 12:38), pretending respect for him while intending to challenge him. They demanded that they wanted to see a sign from him. It was reasonable that they should see a sign to confirm his divine mission (Ex 4:8-9). He came to replace a model of religion established by miracles, and therefore, it was necessary to produce similar credentials. However, it was unreasonable to demand a sign now when he had already given so many signs proving he was sent by God. Note that proud people often dictate to God and then use that as an excuse for rejecting him.
Jesus condemns the demand, calling it the language of an evil and unfaithful generation (Mt 12:39). He applies this charge not only to the scribes and Pharisees but to the entire nation of the Jews. They were a succession of evildoers, hardening themselves against the conviction of Christ’s miracles and treating them with contempt. They had departed from the God to whom they had been espoused by covenant. Though they were no longer guilty of idolatry as before the captivity, they were guilty of infidelity and iniquity.
He refuses to give them any additional sign except that of the prophet Jonah. Though Christ is always ready to answer holy desires and prayers, he does not indulge corrupt demands. Signs were granted to confirm faith, as with Abraham and Gideon, but were denied to those seeking excuses for unbelief. Christ, in his goodness, does not say they will never see another miracle. Instead, he promises the supreme sign—the resurrection. This was meant to be the great proof of Christ as the Messiah, for by it he was declared the Son of God with power (Ro 1:4). If they would not believe the previous signs, this one should convince them (Ex 4:9). Yet, their unbelief found an excuse, claiming his disciples stole his body. None are so blind as those who refuse to see.
Now Christ explains the sign of the prophet Jonah (Mt 12:40). As Jonah was three days and nights in the whale’s belly before coming out safe and well, Christ would be in the grave for the same duration before rising again. Take note of these:
- The grave was to Christ as the belly of the fish was to Jonah—he was thrown there as a ransom for those in peril.
- He remained in the grave for part of three natural days, as Jonah did in the whale. He was buried in the afternoon of the sixth day and rose again on the morning of the first day.
- As Jonah found comfort in the hope of seeing God’s holy temple again (Jon 2:4), Christ rested in hope, knowing he would not see decay (Ac 2:26-27).
- As Jonah was freed from his prison and returned to life, so Christ would rise from the grave to spread the gospel.
Christ then highlights the sad condition of that generation, which refused to reform and was, therefore, doomed to ruin. He describes the Jews as follows:
First, they are a generation condemned by the men of Nineveh, who repented at Jonah’s preaching, unlike the Jews who remained in unbelief (Mt 12:41). Jonah was a mere man, a stranger among them, preaching only one brief message without miracles. Yet they repented. Christ, greater than Jonah, repeatedly called people to repentance with abundant miracles, yet they refused. The goodness of those with fewer advantages will condemn the badness of those with greater opportunities.
Second, they are a generation condemned by the queen of Sheba, who traveled a great distance to hear Solomon’s wisdom (Mt 12:42). Unlike her, many refuse to come to Christ, though he is greater than Solomon. She sought worldly wisdom without an invitation, facing difficulties as a woman and a queen, yet she came. We have Christ among us, offering wisdom to salvation, yet many refuse to listen.
Jesus portrayed the Jewish nation as an apostate people, who, after the Babylonian captivity, appeared religious but soon became corrupt. Their increasing wickedness and rejection of Christ sealed their doom, leading to their destruction by the Romans. Let this be a warning to all nations and churches not to abandon their first love or return to sin, for their last state will be worse than the first.