Mat 12:40 | MHM | STEP | v. 40 : Jesus explains that the sign of Jonah means his own resurrection. As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40 ). Just as Jonah was in the fish and then came out alive, Jesus would be buried and then rise again. Jonah’s time in the fish was a picture of Jesus’ time in the grave. The phrase “three days and three nights” means parts of three days, as was common in their language (1 Kings 20:29; Esther 4:16–5:1; Luke 2:21 ). Jonah was a prisoner because of his own mistakes, but Jesus was in the grave for our sins. Jonah trusted that he would see God again (Jonah 2:4 ), and Jesus also rested in hope, knowing his body would not decay (Acts 2:26-27 ). After three days, both Jonah and Jesus returned to life and brought God’s message to others.

‏ Matthew 12:40

v. 40: Jesus explains that the sign of Jonah means his own resurrection. As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40 ^a). Just as Jonah was in the fish and then came out alive, Jesus would be buried and then rise again. Jonah’s time in the fish was a picture of Jesus’ time in the grave. The phrase “three days and three nights” means parts of three days, as was common in their language (1 Kings 20:29; Esther 4:16–5:1; Luke 2:21 ^b). Jonah was a prisoner because of his own mistakes, but Jesus was in the grave for our sins. Jonah trusted that he would see God again (Jonah 2:4 ^c), and Jesus also rested in hope, knowing his body would not decay (Acts 2:26-27 ^d). After three days, both Jonah and Jesus returned to life and brought God’s message to others.