Jonah

Jonah is the Old Testament prophet who tried to flee God's call, was swallowed by a great fish, and after three days was cast onto dry land — then prophesied to the pagan city of Nineveh, whose repentance at his preaching astonished him. Jesus explicitly cited Jonah's three days in the fish as a sign of his own death and resurrection (CCC 1220).

The Story

God called Jonah to preach repentance to Nineveh, the capital of Israel's great enemy Assyria. Jonah fled in the opposite direction on a ship. A storm arose; Jonah was cast overboard and swallowed by a great fish, in whose belly he prayed. After three days he was vomited onto dry land. He went to Nineveh, preached one sentence of warning, and the entire city — including the king — repented in sackcloth and ashes. God relented of the punishment. Jonah was furious (Jonah 1–4).

The Sign of Jonah

Jesus himself interpreted Jonah as a type of his own death and resurrection: "Just as Jonah was in the belly of the sea creature for three days and three nights, so shall the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights" (Matthew 12:40; CCC 627). The three days in the fish's belly prefigure the three days in the tomb before the Resurrection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Jonah swallowed by a whale? The Hebrew says "a great fish" — not necessarily a whale. Whether this is a literal historical event or a theological parable, the Church has not defined. What is clear is Jesus's use of Jonah as a sign of his own resurrection — that typological meaning is the theological core of the narrative (CCC 1220).