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In this lesson:
Some believed out of faith; others needed proof. Still others didn't believe even when they met the Messiah. The sign of Jonas (Jonah) - Jesus predicts His resurrection (12:38-40). The Queen of the South (12:42). Study Tip: Find the truth in each passage. Decide how you can apply that truth to your life. |
Jonah and the Whale
By the Flemish artist Jan Brueghel, the Elder (1568-1625) |
Who was -
Jonas -
Jonas, usually called Jonah, was the son of Amittai. Jonah was born in Gath-hepher (near Nazareth) around 770 BC. He was an Old Testament prophet and Jewish political leader who helped restore the boundaries of Israel (2 Kings 14:25). God told Jonah to go to Assyrian and preach. Assyrian was one of the cruelest, bloodiest, and wicked empires ever to exist (Jonah 1:2). They worshipped pagan idols and routinely invaded their neighbors. They skinned their captives alive or cut off their hands, feet, noses, and ears. Fearing that the Assyrians would kill him, Jonah refused God's assignment and fled on a ship. God had Jonah swallowed by a giant fish to keep him from fleeing. After three days he was "resurrected" from the belly of the fish when he promised to go to Nineveh, the Assyrian capital. Jonah's "resurrection" from the belly of the fish had a profound impact on the Assyrians. They worshipped a fish god, half man half fish. Miraculously, rather than kill him, the Assyrians repented (Jonah 3:3-5). Just as Jonah's resurrection after three days was a "sign" to the Ninevites, Jesus' resurrection is a "sign" for all mankind (Matthew 12:40, Luke 11:30). You can learn more in the Old Testament book of Jonah (Jonah 1:1-3:10).
The Queen of the south -
She was also called the Queen of Sheba (or Saba). Sheba was a Gentile (non-Jew) from the Kingdom of the Sabeans, which is believed to have been east of the Red Sea in present-day Yemen. Tradition tells us that she was a woman of incredible beauty, intelligence, and power. Sheba made a long, dangerous trip to Jerusalem to hear the wisdom of King Solomon and "to prove (test) him with hard questions" (1 Kings 10:1). But instead of stumping Solomon, she discovered the glory of God (1 Kings 10:1-10; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12).
Jonas -
Jonas, usually called Jonah, was the son of Amittai. Jonah was born in Gath-hepher (near Nazareth) around 770 BC. He was an Old Testament prophet and Jewish political leader who helped restore the boundaries of Israel (2 Kings 14:25). God told Jonah to go to Assyrian and preach. Assyrian was one of the cruelest, bloodiest, and wicked empires ever to exist (Jonah 1:2). They worshipped pagan idols and routinely invaded their neighbors. They skinned their captives alive or cut off their hands, feet, noses, and ears. Fearing that the Assyrians would kill him, Jonah refused God's assignment and fled on a ship. God had Jonah swallowed by a giant fish to keep him from fleeing. After three days he was "resurrected" from the belly of the fish when he promised to go to Nineveh, the Assyrian capital. Jonah's "resurrection" from the belly of the fish had a profound impact on the Assyrians. They worshipped a fish god, half man half fish. Miraculously, rather than kill him, the Assyrians repented (Jonah 3:3-5). Just as Jonah's resurrection after three days was a "sign" to the Ninevites, Jesus' resurrection is a "sign" for all mankind (Matthew 12:40, Luke 11:30). You can learn more in the Old Testament book of Jonah (Jonah 1:1-3:10).
The Queen of the south -
She was also called the Queen of Sheba (or Saba). Sheba was a Gentile (non-Jew) from the Kingdom of the Sabeans, which is believed to have been east of the Red Sea in present-day Yemen. Tradition tells us that she was a woman of incredible beauty, intelligence, and power. Sheba made a long, dangerous trip to Jerusalem to hear the wisdom of King Solomon and "to prove (test) him with hard questions" (1 Kings 10:1). But instead of stumping Solomon, she discovered the glory of God (1 Kings 10:1-10; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12).
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Matthew 12:38-50
Asking for a miracle 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. 43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. 46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. |
Margin notes:
"We would see a sign from thee." (12:38) - "We want to see a miracle from you." People of little faith often asked Jesus to perform miracles to test Him (Matthew 16:1; Mark 8:11; Luke 11:16; John 6:30). Notice that the scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus to perform a miracle after slandering Him by saying He could only perform wonders with Beelzebub's help (Matthew 12:24). "Adulterous generation." (12:39) - Jesus is not referring to people who broke their marriage vows, but to those who professed to love God and then deserted Him. Their infidelity is against God. "There shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas." (12:39) - Jesus is telling the scribes and Pharisees that the sign (miracle) they will see will be His resurrection from the dead. See verse 12:40. "Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly." (12:40) - Jesus is referring to Jonah being swallowed by the great fish (Jonah 1:17). Additional note: The word "whale" comes from the Greek "ketso," which better translates to "huge fish." "So shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (12:40) - Jesus is predicting his death and resurrection after three days in the grave. "Nineveh." (12:41): The capital city of the powerful Assyrian Empire. Nineveh was three miles long and one and a half miles wide and stood for 300 years. It was located on the eastern bank of the Tigris River near the modern-day city of Mosul, Iraq. Nineveh was established by Nimrod, the great-grandson of Noah and the first King of Babylon (Genesis 10:8-12). The city was surrounded by a forty-foot-high wall, and it had the first known freshwater aqueduct system. Assyrian was one of the cruelest, bloodiest, and evil empires that ever existed (Jonah 1:2). Miraculously, its citizens repented after listening to Jonah (fresh from the whale's belly) preach (Jonah 3:3-5). Zephaniah 2:13-15, written around 625 BC, predicted the fall of Nineveh, and by 612 BC the city was destroyed. Nineveh's ruins were discovered in 1820 and included numerous palaces and a vast library containing 22,000 inscribed clay tablets. "They repented." (12:41) - The people of Nineveh repented after hearing Jonah preach. "She came from the uttermost parts of the earth." (12:42) - "She came from the ends of the earth." "Garnished." (12:44) - "Put in order." "His mother and his brethren stood without." (12:46) - "His mother and brothers stood outside." "Behold my mother and my brethren!" (12:49) - "Look, this is my mother and my brethren!" |
Luke 11:29-32 also records the "Sign of Jonah."
New Living Translation
Matthew 12:38-50
The Sign of Jonah
38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority."
39 But Jesus replied, "Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.
40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
41 "The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here-but you refuse to repent.
42 The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here-but you refuse to listen.
43 "When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none.
44 Then it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order.
45 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation."
The True Family of Jesus
46 As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.
47 Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to speak to you."
48 Jesus asked, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers.
50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!"
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
The Sign of Jonah
38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority."
39 But Jesus replied, "Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.
40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
41 "The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here-but you refuse to repent.
42 The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here-but you refuse to listen.
43 "When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none.
44 Then it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order.
45 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation."
The True Family of Jesus
46 As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.
47 Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to speak to you."
48 Jesus asked, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers.
50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!"
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"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." (12:40)
"For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." (12:50)
"For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." (12:50)
Today's Question:
1. Is it wrong to seek proof that Jesus is the Son of God? (12:38-39)
Don't forget to click on the links.
1. Is it wrong to seek proof that Jesus is the Son of God? (12:38-39)
Don't forget to click on the links.
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. No, it's not wrong, but unlike the Pharisees, we must accept proof once it is given. Jesus performed many miracles (thirty-five are recorded in the New Testament) in front of thousands of eyewitnesses. The Pharisees and scribes saw many of these miracles firsthand, and yet they refused to believe.
We have been given ample evidence of Jesus' true identity in His birth, death and resurrection. His divinity is proven every time a prayer is answered, or we are comforted during times of disappointment or grief.
Application thought for the day:
"For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven,
the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." (12:50)
This doesn't mean that performing good works earns us a place in heaven.
Salvation can't be earned by a sinful mankind; it's a gift from God.
Doing the will of God is simply the evidence that we
have accepted God's gift and gained salvation by His grace.
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen, published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham, published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The New Scofield Reference Bible" published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke