John Calvin Commentary Jonah 3:4

"And Jonah began to enter into the city a day`s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." — Jonah 3:4 (ASV)

Jonah here recounts what had briefly been stated before—that he went to Nineveh according to God's command. He then shows how faithfully he executed the duty assigned to him, and thus obeyed the word of God. Therefore, Jonah came and began to enter the city and to preach on the first day.

This promptness clearly proves how obedient Jonah had become, and how much he strove to obey God in carrying out his office. For if timidity had still been in his heart, he would have inspected the city, as careful and timid men are accustomed to do, who inquire about the condition of the place, the dispositions of the people, the easiest access to them, the best way, and where the least danger lies.

If Jonah then had still been entangled by carnal thoughts, he would have waited two or three days, and then would have begun to exercise his office as a Prophet. This he did not do, but entered the city and he cried. We now see then how prompt he was in his obedience, he who had previously attempted to cross the sea: he now hardly takes a moment to breathe, but begins at the very entrance to testify that he had come in obedience to God.

Therefore, we see with what emphasis these words should be read. The narrative is indeed very simple; Jonah uses no rhetorical ornaments here, nor does he describe his entrance with any fine display of words. Jonah, he says, entered into the city. Someone who is not well versed in Scripture might say that this is lifeless; but when we weigh the circumstances, we see that this simple way of speaking possesses more force and power than all the displays of orators.

He then entered the city a day’s journey, and cried and said, etc. By saying that he cried, he again proves the courage of his soul, for he did not creep in privately, as men are accustomed to do, advancing cautiously when dangers are anticipated. He says that he cried: this freedom then shows that Jonah was stripped of all fear and filled with such boldness of spirit that he rose above all the hindrances of the world.

Meanwhile, we should remember how unpopular his message must have been, for he did not gently lead the Ninevites to God but threatened them with destruction and seemed to have given them no hope of pardon.

Jonah might have thought that his words, as the saying goes, would rebound upon himself: “Can I denounce ruin on this populous city without being instantly crushed? Will not the first man who meets me stone me to death?” Jonah might have thought this to himself.

However, no fear was able to prevent him from doing his duty as a faithful servant, for he had clearly been strengthened by the Lord. But it will be better to connect this with the following verse.