Matthew 12:38–42

Verse 38. We would see a sign. They wanted to see some new and unusual miracles. They wished, says S. Jerom, either that he would call down fire from heaven, like Elias; or, like Samuel, cause it to rain, to thunder and lighten in summer, contrary to the nature of the country. Menochius.—That they might be assured he was sent by God, and acted by his Spirit.

Verse 39. Sign of Jonas. I will give no other sign than my death and resurrection, as then, though unwillingly, they will acknowledge me, and people will believe and be converted: so in John (Calmet. 8) it is said, When you shall have exalted the Son of man, then you shall know that I am he. Menochius.

Verse 40. In the whale’s belly. [4] The word signifies a great fish, and was not perhaps that which we commonly call a whale. In the prophet Jonas, it is called, a great fish.—Three days and three nights; not three whole days and three nights, but part of three natural days, from which, in common computation, the nights used not to be separated. We have an instance of this, Esther 4:16, where the Jews were ordered to fast with her three days, and three nights: and yet (Calmet. 5, verse 1) Esther, after part of three days, went to the king.—In the heart of the earth: by which is signified, Christ’s descent into hell; as Saint Paul says (Ephes. 4:9) that he descended into the inferior parts of the earth, and this cannot be understood of the grave only. Witham.—Jesus Christ expired on the cross about the ninth hour, or 3 p.m. when the general and supernatural darkness that covered the earth, may be counted for the first night, and the light which again appeared, for the term of the first day. V.—As Jonas was a sign to the Ninivites, so is Christ to the Jews; for as he by the prodigy of remaining so long in the fish’s belly, and afterwards coming forth alive, gave such authority to his preaching, that the Ninivites were converted; so Christ, by his death and resurrection on the third day, shall shew that he is the true Christ, and this generation shall acknowledge him for the Messias. Menochius.

Verse 42. Queen of Saba, a province of Arabia, situated to the south of Judea. 3 Kennicott. 10:1 and seq.