Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 23:1 (Mar 1980)
Article: The Sign Of Jonah
Author: Eugene H. Merrill

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JETS 23:1 (March 1980) p. 23

The Sign Of Jonah

Eugene H. Merrill*

Following Jesus’ healing of the blind and dumb demoniac, a story recorded by both Matthew and Luke,1 the Pharisees attributed his power to do so to Beelzebul,2 the ruler of the demons.3 Jesus’ response to this—that the prince of demons would hardly cooperate in the destruction of his own satanic work—elicited in turn from his detractors the request that he show them a sign whereby his miraculous works could be authenticated as having divine origin. The implication, of course, was that if Jesus denied being empowered by Beelzebul he must give evidence that his power came from God, for that was the only alternative.4 Jesus then made the remarkable statement that “a wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah” (Matt 12:39 NIV).5

The full import of the term sēmeion cannot be discussed here,6 but its basic theological meaning is well known: It is a miraculous act produced to authenticate its agent and to induce faith in God on the part of the observer.7 Jesus did indeed perform many signs in the presence of his disciples and of unbelievers alike (see esp. John 2:11, 23; 3:2; 4:54; 6:2, 14, 26, 30; 7:31; 9:16; 10:41; 11:47; 12:18, 37; 20:30), but never in response to the challenge of or for the selfish benefit of the

*Eugene Merrill is assistant professor of Semitics and Old Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary.

JETS 23:1 (March 1980) p. 24

Pharisees and scribes, the “wicked and adulterous generation.”8 And these signs we...

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