Devine Scripture

Matthew 12:40

What does Matthew 12:40 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 12:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 12:40 means

Jesus explains the sign of Jonah: just as Jonah was three days and nights in the fish, so the Son of man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. He foretells his death, burial, and resurrection—framing the resurrection as the decisive confirmation of his mission. The typology links Jesus to a prophetic sign: God’s deliverance after apparent defeat is the evidence for his messianic authority and for God’s power to reverse death into life.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the stomach of the great fish, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for, as Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights, so shall the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For as Jonas was in the whale's belly three days and three nights: so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For even as Jonas was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights, thus shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.

Context

This explanation follows the declaration that the sign of Jonah is the only sign given. It shifts the demand for immediate or spectacular signs to a future, definitive revelation—the resurrection. The passage continues by comparing the coming judgment to Nineveh’s response to Jonah, underscoring repentance’s significance.

v.39But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet:

v.40This passage

v.41The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jonah 2:2

    And he said, I called by reason of mine affliction unto Jehovah, And he answered me; Out of the belly of Sheol cried I, And thou heardest my voice.

  • Matthew 27:63

    saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again.

  • Matthew 8:20

    And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

  • Psalms 63:9

    But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

  • Matthew 27:40

    and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross.

  • Matthew 17:23

    and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised up. And they were exceeding sorry.

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