Matthew 12:38-42

Contemporary English Version

A Sign from Heaven

(Mark 8.11,12; Luke 11.29-32)

³⁸^(A) Some Pharisees and teachers of the Law of Moses said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a sign from heaven.”

³⁹^(B) But Jesus replied:

You want a sign because you are evil and won't believe! But the only sign you will get is the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰^(C) He was in the stomach of a big fish for three days and nights, just as the Son of Man will be deep in the earth for three days and nights. ⁴¹^(D) On the day of judgment the people of Nineveh^[a] will stand there with you and condemn you. They turned to God when Jonah preached, and yet here is something far greater than Jonah. ⁴²^(E) The Queen of the South^[b] will also stand there with you and condemn you. She traveled a long way to hear Solomon's wisdom, and yet here is something much greater than Solomon.

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Footnotes

12.41 Nineveh: During the time of Jonah this city was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, which was Israel's worst enemy. But Jonah was sent there to preach, so that the people would turn to the Lord and be saved.
12.42 South: Sheba, probably a country in southern Arabia.