The Sign of Jonah^(A)(B)

³⁸ Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign^(C) from you.”^(D)

³⁹ He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.^{(E) 40} For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish,^(F) so the Son of Man^(G) will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.^{(H) 41} The men of Nineveh^(I) will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah,^(J) and now something greater than Jonah is here.

¹¹ The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven.^{(A) 12} He sighed deeply^(B) and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.”

¹⁶ Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.^(A)

The Sign of Jonah^(A)

²⁹ As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign,^(B) but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.^{(C) 30} For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.

¹⁸ The Jews^(A) then responded to him, “What sign^(B) can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”^(C)

¹⁹ Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”^(D)

⁴⁸ “Unless you people see signs and wonders,”^(A) Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

⁶¹ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?^{(A) 62} Then what if you see the Son of Man^(B) ascend to where he was before!^{(C) 63} The Spirit gives life;^(D) the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit^[a] and life.

²² Jews demand signs^(A) and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified:^(B) a stumbling block^(C) to Jews and foolishness^(D) to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those whom God has called,^(E) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God^(F) and the wisdom of God.^(G)

⁷ Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,^(A)

⁸ and,

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.^(E)