Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
Highlighted
ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION
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.
But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet.
Highlighted
ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION
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.
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Highlighted
ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION
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.
The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here.
The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.
Highlighted
ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION
Verse 42. Queen of Saba, a province of Arabia, situated to the south of Judea. 3 Kennicott. 10:1 and seq.
Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.”
Highlighted
ExplanationCommentary
EXPLANATION
Verse 45. Seven is taken frequently, in Scripture, for an indefinite number; for several. V.