What does Matthew 12:40 mean?
Some scribes and Pharisees have asked Jesus for a sign: demanding a supernatural miracle to prove that He is truly the Messiah. This is not a sincere request, since Jesus has very recently performed miracles (Matthew 12:9–13; 22), and critics attributed them to Satan (Matthew 12:24). These men are simply rejecting what evidence they see, then demanding more, in a never-ending cycle.Jesus has flatly refused to humor their approach (Matthew 7:6). He has, however, promised them the sign of Jonah. In explaining what He means, Christ gives the first mention of His own death and resurrection as recorded by Matthew. Jonah was the Old Testament prophet told by God to go to the wicked city of Nineveh and preach against it (Jonah 1:1–2). He refused and ran in the opposite direction (Jonah 1:3–4). Jonah ended up being swallowed by a huge fish (Jonah 1:15–17), repenting from his disobedience, and then being deposited by the fish on dry land three days later (Jonah 2:10).
Jesus says a miracle with parallel elements will happen as part of His own ministry. He will spend three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Jesus doesn't mention the resurrection specifically, but He implies He will no longer be in the earth after three days.
Some have objected that Jesus was not truly buried for three days—as in a full 72 hours of time. However, Jewish people counted every part of a day as one day. In normal conversation, we often do the same today. Most likely, Jesus was buried on Friday before sundown, and left the tomb after sunrise on Sunday morning, the third day. Complaining that this doesn't match His prediction is to miss the miracle involved.
Matthew 12:38–42 starts with a request from some of the scribes and Pharisees. They want Jesus to provide an on-demand miracle. Of course, Jesus has very recently performed two (Matthew 12:9–13; 22)! In other words, Jesus' critics are saying they want "different" miracles, which is just an excuse to reject what they've already seen. Christ responds by calling such an attitude evil and adulterous. Instead, they will only receive the sign of Jonah, whose experience in a sea creature is compared to how the Son of Man will be buried for three days. Those who correctly respond to God's call for repentance and submission will rightly condemn those who are obstinate and refuse to believe.
Matthew 12 features confrontations between the Pharisees and Jesus over several issues. Among these are working on the Sabbath, healing on the Sabbath, and the source of His power to cast out demons. Jesus counters each argument and rebukes the Pharisees sharply for their obstinate unbelief. He even notes that those who maliciously ascribe His miracles to demons are unforgivable. He warns them, and the rest of their current generation, about the judgment to come. Jesus calls the Pharisees a brood of vipers and rejects their demand for another miracle. All they'll be promised is the sign of Jonah. The Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days. Jesus also states that all who do His Father's will are His family.
