Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 12:40

"for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." — Matthew 12:40 (ASV)

The Pharisees and teachers of the law, in Jesus’ view, represented this “wicked and adulterous generation” (v.39; cf. 11:16–24). “Adultery” was frequently used by OT prophets to describe the spiritual prostitution and wanton apostasy of Israel (Isaiah 50:1; Jeremiah 3:8; Ezekiel 16:15, 32, 35–42; et al.). Jesus applies this metaphor to his contemporaries. Although Israel had abandoned idolatry after the exile, Jesus insists that she was still adulterous in heart. In the past God had graciously granted “signs” to strengthen the faith of the timid (e.g., Abraham [Genesis 15]; Gideon [Jdg 6:17–24]). Here, however, Jesus says that signs are denied, because they are never to be performed on demand or as a sop to unbelief (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:22). The sign Jesus does offer, the “sign of Jonah,” is not a sign at all as Jesus’ opponents understood the word. It becomes a sign only for those with eyes to see.

But what is “the sign of Jonah”? “Of Jonah” must be construed as an explanatory phrase. It is a sign that Jonah himself was, not the sign given him or presented by him. This interpretation accepts the view that the Ninevites learned what had happened to Jonah and how he got to their city. Jonah himself thus served as a “sign” to them, for he appeared to them as one who had been delivered from certain death. As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the fish, so the Son of Man will be buried three days and three nights in the earth. That is to say, Jesus’ preaching will be attested by a deliverance like Jonah’s, only greater; therefore, there will be greater condemnation for those who reject the significance of Jesus’ deliverance. Note that this explanation rightly assumes that Jesus knew long in advance about his death, burial, and resurrection, and saw his life moving toward that climax .

Jonah spent “three days and three nights” in the fish . But if the normal sequence of Passion Week is correct (see comments on Mk 14:1–2, 12), Jesus was in the tomb only about thirty-six hours. Since they included parts of three days, by Jewish reckoning Jesus was buried “three days” or, to put it another way, he rose “on the third day” (16:21). But this does not cover more than two nights. Some advocate a Wednesday crucifixion date; but though that allows for “three days and three nights,” it runs into difficulty with “on the third day.” According to Jewish tradition, a day and a night make an onah, and a part of an onah is as the whole. Thus, “three days and three nights” need mean no more than “three days” or the combination of any part of three days.