Matthew 16:1-5 the Sign of Jonah

The Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and testing Jesus, they asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘it will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and a sign will not be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” And He left them and went away. And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread.

If you recall, in the testing of Jesus in the wilderness Jesus said unto Satan, “You shall not test the Lord your God. And Him only shall you serve.” In the gospel narratives, the Pharisee’s are likened as the sons of Satan. Here they are requesting to put God to the test, just as their father had done. But Jesus reply was that no sign will be given to them, because they do not love God or His Son. Instead the only thing that will be given is the sign of Jonah. This is a comparison of how Jonah spent three days in the stomach of a fish before arising up out of the water. In the same way, Jesus will be crucified and spend three days in the pit of the earth before arising in glory.

Daily Prayer: Father, never allow my words in prayer to be compared to the testing of You. Instead, let my prayers be utterances of a son to a father who depends on his father in all things. In Jesus name I pray Amen.