Mat 12:40 | KingComments | STEP | The incorrigible wickedness and hardening of the religious leaders is apparent from their insolence in asking Him for a sign in response to what the Lord has said. As if they would then believe! In His answer, the Lord makes it clear to them what they are, and that they will therefore receive a special sign. He calls them an “evil and adulterous generation” or species. In their hearts, inwardly, they are “evil”. In their outward relationships they are “adulterous” because their whole behavior is worldly (cf. ). The only sign they receive from Him is “the sign of Jonah the prophet”. What happened to Jonah will happen to Him. He will also be in the tomb for three days, just as Jonah was in the water-tomb for three days. Three times there is talk of a sign in connection with the Lord Jesus. The first sign is that of His birth ( ). The third sign is that of the Son of Man Who comes in His glory ( ). Between these two events is this sign of Jonah that speaks of His death and resurrection. These are the three signs that must bring people to faith. If these are not enough for someone, they will not come to faith through a thousand other signs. Then the Lord refers to the men of Nineveh. After his ‘resurrection’ Jonah went from the water-tomb to Nineveh and preached there. Thus, after His resurrection and ascension, the Lord Jesus will allow the gospel to be preached to all nations. This means that Israel loses its special position as God’s people. The pagan Ninevites repented at Jonah’s preaching, while God’s people rejected Him Who is more than Jonah. The Lord adds another example. He points to the Queen of the South. She did not belong to God’s people. As someone from the nations she had heard of Solomon’s wisdom and had come to him from far away to hear his wisdom. What she did is in stark contrast to the religious leaders who want to kill Him Who is more than Solomon. Like the men of Nineveh, on the day of judgment she will condemn the generation that reject the Lord Jesus.

‏ Matthew 12:40

The Request for a Sign

The incorrigible wickedness and hardening of the religious leaders is apparent from their insolence in asking Him for a sign in response to what the Lord has said. As if they would then believe! In His answer, the Lord makes it clear to them what they are, and that they will therefore receive a special sign. He calls them an “evil and adulterous generation” or species. In their hearts, inwardly, they are “evil”. In their outward relationships they are “adulterous” because their whole behavior is worldly (cf. Jam 4:4). The only sign they receive from Him is “the sign of Jonah the prophet”. What happened to Jonah will happen to Him. He will also be in the tomb for three days, just as Jonah was in the water-tomb for three days.

Three times there is talk of a sign in connection with the Lord Jesus. The first sign is that of His birth (Lk 2:12). The third sign is that of the Son of Man Who comes in His glory (Mt 24:30). Between these two events is this sign of Jonah that speaks of His death and resurrection. These are the three signs that must bring people to faith. If these are not enough for someone, they will not come to faith through a thousand other signs.

Then the Lord refers to the men of Nineveh. After his ‘resurrection’ Jonah went from the water-tomb to Nineveh and preached there. Thus, after His resurrection and ascension, the Lord Jesus will allow the gospel to be preached to all nations. This means that Israel loses its special position as God’s people. The pagan Ninevites repented at Jonah’s preaching, while God’s people rejected Him Who is more than Jonah.

The Lord adds another example. He points to the Queen of the South. She did not belong to God’s people. As someone from the nations she had heard of Solomon’s wisdom and had come to him from far away to hear his wisdom. What she did is in stark contrast to the religious leaders who want to kill Him Who is more than Solomon. Like the men of Nineveh, on the day of judgment she will condemn the generation that reject the Lord Jesus.