Knowing The Word in Luke 11:29-32

The Sign of Jonah

11:29 When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

Comments

Evidently the demand for a sign was widespread. But God will give no sign abstracted from Jesus. In Nineveh, the prophet and his preaching led to repentance, but neither Jesus’ resurrection—the sign of Jonah—nor his preaching would bring about repentance in the people of his day. Jesus will pick his own sign, not one requested by the people. God always has something greater in mind than our limited requests.

The men of Jesus’ generation do not need to travel, as the queen of the South (Sheba) did, to seek God’s wisdom; he is standing in their midst! If Solomon and Jonah are taken to represent the whole wisdom and prophetic tradition of Israel, then “something greater” points to a tremendous claim. It is telling that two Gentile examples, the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba, will be part of the chosen people who will ultimately judge the Jews of Jesus’ day who outright reject him, having no wisdom or insight into their own sinfulness and their need to be saved.

Applications

Have you ever asked God for a sign in your life? Did he give you one, and, if yes, what was your response?

Jesus had performed one miracle after another. Why do you think the people wanted an additional sign from him?

Prayer

Eternal God and Father, help us to entrust the past to your mercy, the present to your love, and the future to your wisdom, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.