Mat 12:39-41 | RWP | e4.org | An evil and adulterous generation ( γενεα πονηρα κα μοιχαλις ). They had broken the marriage tie which bound them to Jehovah (Plummer). See ; .; ; ; ; . What is "the sign of Jonah?"

‏ Matthew 12:39-41

An evil and adulterous generation ( γενεα πονηρα κα μοιχαλις ). They had broken the marriage tie which bound them to Jehovah (Plummer). See Ps 73:27; Isa 57:3ff.; 62:5; Eze 23:27; Jas 4:4; Re 2:20. What is "the sign of Jonah?"

The whale ( του κητους ). Sea-monster, huge fish. In Jon 2:1 the LXX has κητε μεγαλω. "Three days and three nights" may simply mean three days in popular speech. Jesus rose "on the third day" (Mt 16:21), not "on the fourth day." It is just a fuller form for "after three days" (Mr 8:31; 10:34).

In the judgment ( εν τη κρισε ). Except here and in the next verse Matthew has "day of judgment" ( ημερα κρισεως ) as in 10:15; 11:22, 24; 12:36. Luke (Lu 10:14) has εν τη κρισε.

They repented at the preaching of Jonah ( μετενοησον εις το κηρυγμα Ιωνα ). Note this use of εις just like εν. Note also πλειον (neuter), not πλειων (masc.). See the same idiom in 12:6 and 12:48. Jesus is something greater than the temple, than Jonah, than Solomon. "You will continue to disbelieve in spite of all I can say or do, and at last you will put me to death. But I will rise again, a sign for your confusion, if not for your conversion" (Bruce).