Matthew 12:40

"For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the sea- monster’s belly, so the Son of man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Montgomery New Testament

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

39In reply Jesus told them. "An evil and faithless generation seeks a sign, and no sign will be given them except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

41"The men of Nineveh will stand up in the Judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented under the preaching of Jonah, and lo! a greater than Jonah is here!

Read all of Matthew 12

Cross References

Matthew 16:21After this Jesus the Christ began to show his disciples how he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things at the hands of the elders and chief priests and Scribes, and be put to death, and on the third day be raised again.

Matthew 27:40"You who were going to destroy the Temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!"

John 2:19"Destroy this temple," answered Jesus, "and in three days I will raise it up."

Matthew Henry on Matthew 12:39-46

The Pharisees Ask a Sign. 38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39 But 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 the prophet Jonas: 40 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. 41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Matthew 12:40