Matthew 12:38-40
12:38 a a miraculous sign to prove: A popular expectation of the Messiah, probably fueled by biblical accounts about Moses (Exod 4:1-9 b; see also Isa 7:11 c, 14 d; 38:7-8 e), was that the Messiah would display spectacular miracles on command (see Matt 16:1-4 f; Luke 23:8 g; John 2:18 h; 4:48 i; 6:30 j; 7:31 k; 9:16 l; 11:47 m; 1 Cor 1:22 n).Summary for Matt 12:39-40: 12:39-40 o To demand a sign demonstrates a lack of faith.
• The sign of the prophet Jonah consisted of Jonah’s “resurrection” from the large fish after three days and three nights as well as his preaching (12:41 p; Luke 11:32 q); it was analogous to Jesus’ burial and resurrection and his preaching. Jesus was drawing a parallel between Jonah’s experience and what he himself would experience. He was not predicting an exact chronology of his death and resurrection.
• Heart of the earth is a euphemism for the grave.
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