The Importance of the Prophet Jonah in the Gospels

Home About Bible Studies Documents Charts Contact Links

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROPHET JONAH IN THE GOSPELS

In the Gospel of Matthew Jonah is referenced 6 times in 5 verses:

1. 12:39	The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah.
2. 12:40	For Jonah remained in the belly of the sea-monster for 3 days and 3 nights, so will the Son of man be in the heart of the earth for 3 days and 3 nights.
3. and 4. 12:41 (twice)	On judgment day the men of Nineveh will appear against this generation and they will be its condemnation, because when Jonah preached they repented; and look, there is something greater than Jonah here.
5. 16:4	It is an evil and unfaithful generation, and the only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah.
6. 16:17	Jesus replied, Simon son of Jonah, you are a blessed man because it was no human agency who revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.

In the Gospel of Luke Jonah is referenced 4 times in 3 verses:

1. 11:29	The crowds got even bigger and he addressed them, 'This is an evil generation, it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah ...'
2. 11:30	For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of man be a sign to this generation.
3. and 4. 11:32	On judgment day the men of Nineveh will appear against this generation and be its condemnation, because when Jonah preached they repented, and look, there is something greater than Jonah here.

In John 7:52 the members of the Jewish Sanhedrin dismissed Jesus as a prophet saying to Nicodemus, who attempted to defend Jesus, Are you a Galilean too? Go into the matter, and see for yourself: prophets do not arise in Galilee. They were wrong. Jonah ben Amittai is the only Prophet of God who came from the Galilee. He came from the Galilean town of Geth-hepher in the reign of King Jeroboam II, King of Israel circa 783-743 BC; see 2 Kings 14:25.