The men of Niniveh - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

As Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Niniveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
Matthew 12:40.41

The men of Niniveh
The responsible religious leaders of the Jews challenged Jesus to produce a miraculous sign proving that He is indeed the Christ, the sent One of God. He replied harshly that such a miracle will indeed happen and draws a parallel with Jonah who emerged alive from the belly of a huge marine creature. The story of Jonah sets forth the three days when Christ lay in the tomb before His glorious resurrection. The prophet Jonah, resurrected as it were, went to Niniveh to preach the word of God in that vast city (now Mossul in Irak). After preaching for just one day, the whole city was stirred. The king proclaimed public repentance accompanied by fasting and signs of mourning: they sat in ashes wearing sackcloth (Jonah 3:5-10). And God forgave them.

Jesus told His fellowmen that the inhabitants of Nineveh would "rise up". That indicates the future resurrection on the judgment day. They will be like witnesses for the prosecution facing those who have refused to accept Christ and have not repented, whereas the inhabitants of Nineveh took God's word to heart.

Jesus ended the comparison with an important remark: "A greater than Jonah is here." Jesus, the Son of God, is infinitely greater than all the prophets. He is a divine Person, resurrected and alive eternally. We are called upon to put our trust in Him.

Today's reading: Exodus 6:9-30 · Luke 2:21-35