A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace

S4: Week 46 Day 4 – Connecting Jonah 1:17 & Matthew 12:40

Date: November 13, 2025
Hosts: Beth & Alexa

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on exploring the rich theological connection between Jonah 1:17 in the Old Testament and Matthew 12:40 in the New Testament. Beth and Alexa discuss how Jonah’s time in the belly of the fish prefigures Jesus’ burial and resurrection, revealing how Jesus is the true and better fulfillment of Jonah’s story. The conversation highlights the theme of deliverance and mercy, underlining the central role of Christ in the entirety of Scripture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Direct Connection: Jonah as a Type of Christ

• Matthew 12:40 directly correlates Jonah’s three days in the fish to Jesus’ three days in the grave.
• Alexa shares:

  "As Jonah spends three days in the belly of the fish and Jesus spends three days in the grave before his resurrection. But there is more we can say about the connections happening here." (00:48)

2. Jesus as the True and Better Jonah

• Unlike Jonah, who ran from God's command, Jesus fully obeyed—even to the point of death.
  • Jonah’s Disobedience: Jonah initially flees from God's mission and later struggles with God’s mercy toward the Ninevites.
  • Jesus’ Obedience: Jesus willingly embraces death, acting in perfect obedience for the redemption of sinners.
• Alexa explains:

  "Unlike Jonah, Jesus didn't disobey God by running away from death. He obeyed God by embracing death on the cross, trusting in God's plan of redemption that would be accomplished through his death." (00:54)

• Jonah’s Reluctance vs. Jesus’ Mercy:

  "Jonah is displeased by God's mercy. Jesus acts differently from Jonah in that Jesus desired to show sinners mercy... so much that he willingly died for them, giving those who trusted in him deliverance from their sin." (01:10)

3. The Nature of God’s Deliverance

• Jonah’s deliverance: The fish is not a punishment but a means of rescue from the storm for Jonah.
  • Insight: Jonah’s prayer in Jonah 2 is one of gratitude for deliverance, even while inside the fish.

    "He doesn't pray to be saved from the fish, but thanks God for using the fish to save him." (01:59)

• God delivers:
  • Jonah from the sea through the fish,
  • Jonah from the fish,
  • The Ninevites from judgment,
  • And ultimately, believers from sin through Jesus.
• Parallel with Christ:
  • Jonah’s “descent into the depths” mirrors Jesus’ descent into death.
  • Both remain “in the depths” three days and are then delivered—Jonah from the fish, Jesus from the grave via resurrection.
  • Alexa:

    "Just as Jonah didn't stay in the fish for more than three days, Jesus wasn't in the grave for more than three days. God delivered Jesus from death by resurrecting him on the third day." (02:33)

• Application for Believers:
  • Christ’s obedience and God’s deliverance give new life to those who place faith in Jesus.

    "Because of Jesus's death and resurrection, if we place our faith in Christ, we are brought out of the depths of our sin and given new life in Christ. And this is all possible because of Jesus's great obedience and God's great deliverance." (02:49)

4. The Intricacy of God’s Story

• Beth reflects on the beauty and complexity of God’s redemptive plan:

  "It's moments like these that I am reminded just how intricate God's story of redemption actually is. And we've had so many moments like this throughout our entire study." (03:01)

Memorable Quotes

• Alexa:

  “Jesus is the true and better Jonah. Unlike Jonah, Jesus didn't disobey God... He obeyed God by embracing death on the cross.” (00:54)
  "He doesn’t pray to be saved from the fish, but thanks God for using the fish to save him." (01:59)
  "Because of Jesus's death and resurrection, if we place our faith in Christ, we are brought out of the depths of our sin and given new life." (02:49)

• Beth:

  "I don't know if I've ever spent this much time thinking about how Jesus fulfills all that Jonah was sent to do." (01:40)
  "It's moments like these that I am reminded just how intricate God's story of redemption actually is." (03:01)

Important Timestamps

• 00:48 — Direct connection between Jonah and Jesus explained.
• 00:54–01:19 — Exploring Jesus as the true and better Jonah.
• 01:51–02:49 — How the deliverance of Jonah points to Christ’s deliverance.
• 03:01 — Reflections on God’s intricate redemption story.

Tone & Style

• The conversation is warm, inviting, and thoughtfully reflective.
• Both hosts speak with sincerity and pastoral care, aiming to both illuminate and encourage.

Conclusion

This episode masterfully draws the line from Jonah's time in the fish to Jesus' time in the grave, showing the unity and coherence of the biblical narrative. Listeners are invited to marvel at the depth of God’s mercy and provision, encouraged to see Jesus in every page of Scripture, and reassured of the deliverance available through Christ’s obedience and resurrection. The discussion is accessible for all, whether studying alongside the Christ in All of Scripture plan or simply seeking a deeper understanding of how the Old and New Testaments are connected.