a12:38
bExod 4:1-9
cIsa 7:11
e38:7-8
fMatt 16:1-4
gLuke 23:8
hJohn 2:18
i4:48
j6:30
k7:31
l9:16
m11:47
n1 Cor 1:22
o12:39-40
p12:41
qLuke 11:32

‏ 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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