Who was Jonas?
Jonas, referred to in Luke 11:29-32, is the Greek form of the Hebrew name “Jonah” (יוֹנָה, Yonah), which means “dove.” He was a prophet from the northern kingdom of Israel, best known for his reluctant mission to the city of Nineveh. In the New Testament, Jesus references Jonas as a sign to a wicked generation, highlighting the prophet’s experience as a foreshadowing of His own death and resurrection.
Jonas is most famously associated with the Book of Jonah in the Old Testament, where he is called by God to preach repentance to the Assyrian capital of Nineveh. He initially flees from this divine assignment, is swallowed by a great fish, and after three days and nights in its belly, he is miraculously delivered. Afterward, he obeys God‘s command and delivers a message of judgment to Nineveh, resulting in the city’s repentance.
In Luke 11, Jesus appeals to the “sign of Jonas” as a prophetic picture pointing to His own redemptive work. The people of Nineveh responded to Jonah’s message with repentance, but Jesus rebukes His generation for failing to respond to One far greater than Jonah.
Biblical References
- Old Testament: Jonah 1-4
- New Testament: Luke 11:29-32; Matthew 12:38-41; Matthew 16:4
What Happened in the Bible?
In the Old Testament account (Jonah 1–4), Jonah is commissioned by God to preach to Nineveh, a powerful and wicked Gentile city. Rather than obey, Jonah boards a ship bound for Tarshish to escape the Lord’s presence. A violent storm arises, and Jonah, recognizing it as divine judgment, asks to be thrown into the sea. He is swallowed by a great fish and spends three days and nights inside it. After praying to God and expressing repentance, Jonah is delivered. He then travels to Nineveh and preaches a simple yet convicting message: “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4, NIV). The people of Nineveh believe God, fast, and repent, and God spares the city.
In Luke 11:29–32, Jesus refers to this event, stating:
“As Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.” (Luke 11:30, NIV)
He condemns His generation for demanding signs and wonders, declaring that the Ninevites will rise in judgment because they repented at Jonah’s preaching, while Jesus’ listeners remain unrepentant in the face of a greater messenger.
Meaning for Today’s Christians
The story of Jonas (Jonah) serves as a powerful call to repentance and faith. His mission to Nineveh reminds Christians that God’s mercy extends even to the worst of sinners. His time in the belly of the fish symbolizes judgment and resurrection, pointing forward to Christ‘s burial and victory over death.
In Luke 11, Jesus emphasizes that His resurrection would be the ultimate sign—greater than Jonah’s survival from the fish. Christians today are reminded not to demand signs but to respond in faith to the gospel message. The people of Nineveh, despite being Gentiles and outsiders, responded to far less revelation than the Jews of Jesus‘ day. How much more accountable are those today who have the full testimony of Scripture and the historical resurrection of Christ?
How Jonas Points to Jesus and the Gospel
Jonas is a type of Christ in several significant ways:
- Descent and Ascent: Jonah’s descent into the sea and three days in the fish’s belly prefigure Christ’s burial and resurrection (Matthew 12:40).
- Preacher of Repentance: Like Jonah, Jesus preached repentance, calling people to turn from sin and believe in the kingdom of God (Mark 1:15).
- Messenger to the Nations: Jonah’s message to Gentile Nineveh foreshadowed the global scope of the gospel, which is for all nations through Christ (Matthew 28:19-20).
- Greater Than Jonah: Jesus explicitly claims superiority over Jonah (Luke 11:32), indicating His greater mission, greater message, and greater outcome—eternal salvation.
Broader Biblical Themes
1. Repentance and Mercy
Jonah’s message and Nineveh’s response demonstrate that true repentance brings God’s mercy. This is echoed throughout Scripture (Joel 2:12-13; Acts 3:19).
2. God’s Sovereignty and Patience
God orchestrates Jonah’s journey, the storm, the fish, the plant, and even Nineveh’s repentance, showing His sovereign rule and patience toward sinners.
3. God’s Love for All Nations
Jonah‘s mission to a Gentile city reflects the universal scope of God’s redemptive plan, culminating in Christ’s commission to the nations (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 49:6; Revelation 7:9).
4. Obedience and Mission
Jonah’s initial disobedience contrasts with Jesus’ perfect submission to the Father’s will, reminding believers to obey God’s call and not flee from their spiritual responsibilities.
Reflection Questions
- Why did Jesus highlight Jonas as a “sign” to His generation? What makes this sign so significant?
- In what ways does Jonah’s journey into the fish point to the death and resurrection of Christ?
- How should the repentance of Nineveh challenge modern Christians regarding the seriousness of God’s Word?
- Are there any areas in your life where you are running from God’s call like Jonah did?
- How does the global mercy shown to Nineveh shape your view of missions and the gospel’s reach today?
Jonas’ story, though ancient, remains strikingly relevant. It urges believers to trust God‘s mercy, respond quickly to His Word, and center their lives on the one greater than Jonah—Jesus Christ, the risen Savior.