Matthew 12:38-42
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 12:38
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
Matthew 12:39-41
But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
Four Ways Jesus is Greater
1. Jesus is the Greater Man
John 1:1,14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Colossians 1:16
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
2. Jesus has the Greater Ministry
Matthew 20:28
…the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
3. Jesus is the Greater Message
Jonah 3:4
Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”
Matthew 12:36-37
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Hebrews 9:27
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.
Mark 1:14-15
…Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Jesus has the Greater Manifestation
Matthew 12:39
…An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
For this week’s application guide click this URL: https://storage2.snappages.site/QG8D8X/assets/files/Greater-Jonah-application-guide-October–76.docx
Resources Cited
Books/Commentaries/Sermons
Doriani, Daniel M. Matthew & 2. Edited by Richard D. Phillips, Philip Graham Ryken, and Daniel M. Doriani. Vol. 1. Reformed Expository Commentary. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2008.
Greear, JD. Something Greater Than Jonah. https://summitchurch.com/GetFile.ashx?Guid=116f352e-6efb-483c-b5b6-13e0f34ac218
Horton, Michael. Putting the Amazing Back into Grace. Baker Publishing, 2010.
Ryken, Leland, Wilhoit, James C., Longman, Tremper. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. IVP Academic, 1998.