Matthew 12:40 - Three Days and Three Nights

{Matthew 12:39} But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.

Matthew 12:40} For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of the Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
{Matthew 12:41} The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here.

{Jonah 1:17} Jehovah prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

{Jonah 2:2} He said, "I called because of my affliction to Jehovah. He answered me. Out of the belly of sheol I cried. You heard my voice.

Some claim that there is a discrepancy in the Bible's account since Jesus had proclaimed that he would be dead for three days and three nights. The claim appears to be that if Jesus was buried at sundown on Friday and raised Sunday morning near sunrise he would have been in the tomb over only two nighttime periods (Friday and Saturday) and one daytime period (Saturday) for a total of approximately 36 to 38 hours, not the three days and three nights that Jesus spoke as the "sign of Jonah". And thus, it is claimed that the Bible contradicts itself, and cannot be depended upon.

There are two things to note here: (1) Jesus did not say that he would be dead for three days and three nights; this is simply the general assumption placed on his words. What he said is that he, the Son of the man, David, would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. (2) Even if Jesus meant "heart of the earth" to mean in death, we need to note that this terminology could be viewed as purely idiomatic, and thus implied that he would be in the heart of the earth "till the third day." The proof of this is kind of usage may be found in Esther 4:16; 5:1; Genesis 42:17,18; 2 Chronicles 10:5,12.

We should note that the elders and chief priests had demanded of our Lord a sign of his authority. However, we should also note that their motive was evil, not sincere. Indeed, they already had many "signs" from Jesus but chose to ignore them. (John 10:32,33) Jesus, evidently while in Galilee (Matthew 13:1), had just healed a withered hand, and cast out a devil, but their reaction had been to hold a "council against him. how they might destroy him, and to accuse him of casting out devils 'by Beelzebub.'" (Matthew 12:10-14, 22-24) While in Jerusalem, Jesus had healed one who had been blind from birth (John 9:14,16), as well as one who could not walk. (John 5:9-13) These religious leaders had the testimony of these, but what was their response? They came up with a plot to put Lazarus also to death because by reason of him, many of the Jews believed jn Jesus. (John 12:10, 11) Jesus rebuked that wicked generation of Jewish leaders, calling them 'vipers. hypocrites, whited sepulchres.' -- Matthew 23:1,33.

Nevertheless, we should not read into Jesus' statement recorded in Matthew 12:40 something that is not there. Jesus used the event of Jonah's being in the belly of the whale as a sign concerning the time when he would be, not in death, nor in the grave, but in the 'heart of the earth'. Obviously, however, the term "in the heart of the earth" is not a literal expression. The heart gives the power of movement to the body. If our heart stops beating we no longer have any power to move. Nor should we necessarily look for parallels to every event of Jonah while in the belly's fish to have a corresponding fulfillment in the three days and three nights in which Jesus was in the heart of the earth. For instance, Jonah repented while in the belly of fish and prayed concerning his repentance; Jesus had nothing to repent of. Jesus was not buried in any literal "heart" of the earth but was laid in a cave tomb dug into the face of a hill. But, as pointed out, he did not actually stay in that tomb for three days and three nights, but he was there for parts of three days and two nights.

When Jonah was in "the belly of the fish" he was not dead. The scripture says that he was in the belly of sheol; yet he was not literally in sheol, the realm of death or condition of being dead. (Ecclesiastes 9:5,10) However, he was as good as dead, and thus it was as though he were already in sheol. What was true of Jonah is that he was no longer in control of his own movements. Where the fish went, Jonah went. The normal free functions of Jonah's life had been taken away, and he was as good as dead, and had no miracle occurred, he would have indeed died and gone into the oblivious condition of sheol.

Similarly, Judas Iscariot, evidently at some time before the passover meal the day before Jesus died, went to the Jewish leaders to make a deal to turn Jesus over to them. (Luke 22:3-6) It appears that from that point on, Jesus was as good as dead. Jesus knew of Judas' treachery; later he stated to Judas, ""What you do, do quickly," Jesus recognized that he was as good as already dead. He was, in effect, already in the heart, the control, of the earth. Thus, he stated, "The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners." (Mark 14:41) This was the night before he was arrested. When he was arrested, he exclaimed, "this is your hour, and the power of darkness" (Luke 22:53). Therefore, we conclude that he, the day before he was arrested, Jesus entered into "the heart of the earth," but, although one could say that he was as good as dead, he was not yet actually dead in sheol. Accordingly, Jesus had eartlier told his disciples of "that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders, and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day." Jesus was actually raised on the third day after he was killed,  (Matthew 16:21) However, the "three days and three nights" in which Jesus is in the "heart of the earth" appears to cover not only the time he was dead, but they began when Judas started his betrayal of Jesus.

While the Jewish leaders did not fully understand Jesus' words (Matthew 13:13-15; John 8:14,43), they did understand that Jesus claimed that he would be raised from the dead after three days, for they told Pilate "that deceiver said while he was still alive: 'After three days I will rise again,'" and desired his tomb to be guarded allegedly to avoid his disciples from stealing the body to make the claim appear correct. Pilate replied, "You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can." And then we read: "So they went, and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone, the guard being with them." (Matthew 27:63-66) And the very ones assigned to ensure there would be no fraud, observed that "the angel of Jehovah descended from the sky, and came and rolled away the stone from the door, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men." (Matthew 28:2-4) This was reported to the chief priests and elders, who then bribed the guards with a "large amount of silver" to change their story and claim the disciples had stolen Jesus' body, thus indicating the effect that this promised "sign" had upon their evil hearts. Therefore, the ones who falsely accused Jesus of being a deceiver proved themselves to be deceivers. -- Matthew 28:11-15.

And, yet, for those whose hearts were not entrenched with evil motives, what a piece of convincing evidence that the sign of Jonah had been fulfilled! The same guards which they had set to ensure against fraud testified of the truthfulness of Jesus' words! Rather than accept this "sign of Jonah", however, the actions of the Jewish leaders actually made manifest the wickedness of their heart, that they were of this wicked generation! Nevertheless, for those whose hearts could receive it, the sign of Jonah was truly convincing, and the testimony of the disciples is still convincing to this day. And it could be reasoned on more deeply. Paul tells us, "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." -- 1 Corinthians 15:20.

Jesus paid the full price to buy back what was lost in Adam, that is, death (lack of sentiency), and, as far as his humanity is concerned, that death was eternal, even as the condemnation upon Adam was eternal death. The eternal condemnation upon Adam and through him upon the human race would have remained eternal, had it not been for the corresponding offsetting price paid by Jesus. -- Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22; 1 Timothy 2:5,6.

This brings us to the latter parts of Jesus' statements pertaining to the condemnation of the evil generation during the day of judgment by the Ninevites. We remember that Jesus' death and resurrection results in two resurrections in the "last day": one is of the believer of this age, who is resurrected to life, and the other is of the unbelievers who are resurrected to judgment. (John 5:28,29; 6:39,40,44; 11:24; 12:47,48; Acts 24:15; Revelation 20:6,11-13) The people of heathen Nineveh in the Judgment Age, in the Millennial Age, he assured them, would rank higher than they, for the Ninevites did repent at the preaching of Jonah, while Jesus spoke of those who did not repent at the preaching of a greater than Jonah. The Queen of Sheba had journeyed afar to hear Solomon's wisdom; yet these who were in the presence of a greater than Solomon failed to realize or, probably more correctly, did not appreciate who this was, and proclaimed his message to be a fraud.

Studies by Others:

Three Days and Three Nights by F. A. Acheson

Three Galileans by Carl Hagensick

* Genesis 3:14 - God's Curse on the Serpent

Genesis 1:1-2:4 - Days Before the Earth?

The question was presented: How could the earth be made in seven literal days, since without the earth, there would have been no days? The argument seems to be that if there is no earth, then there could have been no days in which the earth was created.

Actually, the scriptures nowhere state that the planet earth was created in seven days, but rather that the heavens and the earth were created in six days, and on the seventh, Jehovah rested from creation. (Exodus 20:11; Exodus 31:17; Genesis 1:1-2:2.  This would mean that the "beginning" referred to in Genesis 1:1 includes the entire six days. The skies and the land were created during the six days described. -- See our study: The Six Days of Creation

How could the heavens and earth be created in "six days," if there were no "days" until the earth was created? To understand this, we need to realize that in the Bible, as in well as in our common speech today, "earth" does not always mean the planet, and "day" does not always mean 24 hours.

In the first chapter of Genesis, for instance, "earth" is used in at least two different ways, as the earth -- the planet -- that was without form and void, and also as regarding the dry land. -- Genesis 1:9,10.

Likewise, the expression, heavens, is used to refer to that which is spoken of in Genesis 1:7-10, and thus it is referring to the atmosphere, the skies, the air, and that which is above the earth that is formed as a result of the separating of the waters below and the waters below.

Furthermore, the word "day" is used in at least three different ways, related to at least three different periods of time, in the first two chapters of Genesis. We first have each of six days referred to as being and evening and a morning. (Genesis 1:5,8,13,19,23,31) Then we have the "day" that is referred to as "light." (Genesis 1:5) We also have the additional single "day" in which the heavens and the earth were created, which single "day" includes the six days mentioned before. -- Genesis 2:4.

And we have the "days" mentioned in Genesis 1:14, as well as the "day" that is mentioned in the same verse and also in Genesis 1:15. The "days" in Genesis 1:14 are evidently referring to the 24-hour "days", while the "day" is referring to the period of time that the 24-hour "day' has "light." This is averaged to be 12 hours. (John 11:29) Thus in Genesis 1:14,15 we have two different periods of time, both of which are called "day."

Thus we conclude, based on the scriptures, that the "earth" spoken of as being created in Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:11; and Exodus 31:17, was created in six literal "days" -- six periods of time, as the scriptures state. We do not conclude, however, that those "six days" were days of 24 hours, nor do we accept the idea that the "earth" spoken of as being created in Genesis 1:1 refers to the planet itself.  -- See also our study: Are the Creative Days Literal Days?

The Bible gives us no indication of as to when the planet was created, but in Genesis 1:2, it simply reads when those six days began, that the planet earth "was" void and without form.

The "earth" that was created in those six days, pertains to the land mass and the arrangement of things upon the land mass, and in the seas as related to the land mass, as stated in Genesis 1:9-13, as well as the rest of Genesis 1.

Likewise, the "heavens" spoken of in Genesis 1:1 pertains, not to the creation of the galaxies, stars, planetary systems, etc., but rather of the sky and things in the sky, the flying creatures, as well as pertaining the what was being allowed to be seen in the sky, as though from the surface of the earth, that is, the making to appear of the sun, the moon, the stars, etc. This refers to the luminaries as they appeared in the sky -- the heavens, not to the creation of the physical sun, moon, and stars.

It is these heavens (skies) and earth (land) that are being spoken of as being made in one day, as well as six days. -- Genesis 2:4; Exodus 20:11; and Exodus 31:17.

However, neither the one "day" of Genesis 2:4, nor each of the six days do we believe to constitute days of 24 hours each, nor do we believe that the Bible ever gives any indication of how long before the beginning spoken of in Genesis 1:1 that the physical universe was created, or when the planet earth itself was made.

Each of the six days could have been thousands, millions, or even billions of years as we now count time. Likewise, the planet earth could have been brought into existence thousands, millions, billions, or even trillions of years (according to the way we now count time) before the "beginning" that is spoken of in Genesis 1:1.

Thus, seen, the six days of creation, although they are literal "days", in that they are literal periods of time, are not the same as the 24-hour days (Genesis 1:14), nor the averaged "twelve hours" of daylight (John 11:29), that are related to the planet earth's revolving on its axis.

Originally published on or before January 16, 2009; Updated: March 15, 2014; January 14, 2023.

2 Timothy 3:16 — What Scripture is Inspired?

Does 2 Timothy 3:16 mean absolutely every writing in the world is inspired of God?

2 Timothy 3:16

pasa graphee theopneustos kai wphelimos pros

ALL SCRIPTURE GOD BREATHED AND BENEFICIAL TOWARD

3956 1124 2315 2532 5624 4314

didaskalian pros elegmon pros epanorthwsin

TEACHING, TOWARD REPROVING, TOWARD STRAIGHTENING UP UPON,

1319 4314 1648_5 4314 1882

pros paideian teen en dikaiosunee

TOWARD DISCIPLINE THE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS,

4314 3809 3588 1722 1343

Westcott & Hort Interlinear

As is most often the case, the Greek in this verse does not have the linking verb “is” in the text. One should understand that the Koine Greek syntax is not the same as in English, but when translated into English, to accommodate the English syntax, the connecting verb should be supplied, but it may not fully apparent where it should be supplied. Nevertheless,  It should be obvious that in 2 Timothy 3:16, in the English the verb belongs there somewhere, and most translators put it after the word “scripture”, making the verse read, as in the New American Standard:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.

Some, however, put the verb later, as in the World English:

Every writing inspired by God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness.

This would show that the writings or scriptures involved are limited to those that are inspired by God. This is due to the fact that some have faulted the rendering “all scripture is inspired” because it would actually state that every writing in the whole world is inspired of God. Others point out that the word “kai” (meaning “and”) would seem to call for the verb to be before “theopneustos” (an adjective usually rendered as "inspired by God". Literally, "God-breathed").

Regardless of where one puts a verb in the sentence, “all scripture” should be understood to mean what is referred to in the Bible as “the Scripture(s)”. (Matthew 24:42; 22:29; Luke 24:27,32,45; John 4:39; 7:42; 10:35; 17:12; 20:9; Acts 8:32; 17:2,11; 18:28; Romans 11:2; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Galatians 3:22) In many cases in the New Testament this term refers to what Christians today refer to as the Old Testament, although at times the writings of NT testament writers appear to be included. However, the word “scriptures” simply means “writings,” and yes, there were a lot of writings — scriptures — floating around in the first century amongst the Jews, which are not included in “the Scriptures”, some of which are referred to in the Bible. There was, however, a general consensus among the Jews at that time that “the Scriptures” are what we today have as the Old Testament.

If Paul was saying that absolutely everything that is written is inspired of God, then the Buddhist writings, the Hindu writings, the writings of Satanists, and absolutely everything that has been written by anyone at any time and at any place should be considered to be inspired of God; thus we should believe in the immortality of the soul, and that the soul is not immortal; we should believe that only Jehovah is Most High, and that Jehovah is not the only Most High; we should believe that the dead are not conscious, and the dead are conscious, we should believe that God is a trinity, and that God is only one person. We should believe in reincarnation, and we should believe that reincarnation is not true. We should believe in the transmigrations of the human soul, and we should believe that the transmigration of the soul is false teaching, and so on.

The expression “Law and the Prophets” was used to speak of all of the Hebrew Scriptures. Before Christ came, there is evidence of the expression  “Law and Prophets” was in general use for all of the books of the Bible in the Old Testament as we have it except perhaps Ruth and Esther. Although the expression “canon” was not used in those days, the evidence shows that there was an accepted canon sometime in the late Perisian period. Although the expression “Law and the Prophets” technically divides the collection of books into two groups, the expression was often used to designate the entire collection. Some references refer to “the Law, Prophets, and the Psalms,” as did Jesus in Luke 24:44, which would technically make three divisions of the Old Testament writings. And yet we should realize that even the “historical” writings contain prophecy, and they are also certainly relative to the “Law Covenant.” However, at times all of the writings of the Old Testament were referred as “the Law,” or “the Law and Prophets.”

The expression “the Law” is generally used in three different ways in the New Testament. It is often used when speaking of the Book of the Law, which is now five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). It is also used to refer to the entire collection of the Hebrew Scriptures. Therefore, Jesus quoted the Psalms as being part of the Law of Jews. (John 10:34; 15:25) Jesus refers to the Psalms several times; here are some: Matthew 5:5; 22:44; 23:39; Mark 12:36; Luke 19:38; 24:44; John 10:34. 

Thus we believe we should realize that “all scripture” used in 2 Timothy 3:16, is not referring to absolutely all writings, but to the writings that were general referred as the Scripture(s). Thus, when we speak of the “Old Testament” today, although the term means “old covenant,” we are not speaking just of the Law Covenant itself, nor even just the “book of the Law,” but of all the books of the what we call the Old Testament collection, which today we might call scripture canon..

Nevertheless, the expression “the Law” or “law” in the Bible often refers to the Law Covenant itself; one should be careful to not confuse such scriptures with what constitutes “Law and the Prophets” as far as writings are concerned.

One more point concerning 2 Timothy 3:16. Many try to claim that not all the Bible is inspired because Paul wrote “But to the rest I — not the Lord [Jehovah] — say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her.” (1 Corinthians 7:12) Does this mean that the words that Paul wrote here are not inspired by God? Absolutely not! Indeed, Paul was certainly inspired by God to write, “I — not the Lord [Jehovah] — say,” thus designating that the following was not a command from Jehovah, but rather that it his own suggestion. And yet, we believe that the entire sentence is also inspired by God; although it is not a command from God, this does not mean that the writing of it is not inspired by God.

2 Samuel 24:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1 -- Jehovah or Satan Moved David?

And again the anger of Jehovah glowed against Israel, and moved David against them, to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. - (2 Samuel 24:1)

And Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel. - (1 Chronicles 21:1, Green's Literal)

Many critics of the Bible often cite these two scriptures as being one of the alleged contradictions found in the Bible. In one scripture it says that Jehovah moved David to number the people of Israel and Judah; in the other scripture, we find that Satan moved David to number Israel.

From the scriptural perspective, both are correct. Satan cannot do anything that Jehovah does not permit, especially as related to His people. Thus, in permitting Satan to do this, it could be said that Jehovah moved David to number Israel. Similarly, in foretelling the "Man of Sin", Paul wrote that this Man of Sin comes "after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders." (2 Thessalonians 2:9) But then he states: "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie." (2 Thessalonians 2:11) Even though it is Satan who is doing this, it is God who is permitting it.

But this brings up the point that God has made the Bible in such a way that those who are not seeking its truths will find what they seek in the Bible, so "that they should believe a lie". God is deliberately keeping the truths of the Bible from the world in this age. Of the unfaithful of Israel (in this case, Israel may understood to be a type of the false Christians, and also the world in general), we read: "Jehovah has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes. He has covered the prophets and your heads, the seers." - Isaiah 29:10, Green's Literal; see also: Acts 28:26,27; Romans 11:8; 2 Corinthians 4:4.

However, the present day delusion in Christendom and in the world is only temporary, for God has promised a day of judgment for the world, a thousand years during which “the earth will be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.” Then it will be said: “Look, this is our God. We have waited for him, and he will save us . . . . We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” — Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:9,10; 25:6-9; 40:5; 52:10: Jeremiah 31:34; Habakkuk 2:14.

In the “day” of the world’s judgment, the thousand-year reign of the Messiah, conditions will be in most respects the very reverse of what they are now. The present time is a dark night of sorrow, suffering, and death. (Psalm 30:5) That will be a righteous day, when “sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” -- Isaiah 35:10.

A false theology has taught the people to dread the day of judgment, whereas the Scriptures speak of it as a gladsome time: “Oh worship Jehovah in the beauty of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, Jehovah reigns; and, The world shall be established, it shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples in uprightness. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and the fullness of it. Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it; then the trees of the forest shall rejoice before Jehovah; for He comes; for He comes to judge the earth; He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His faithfulness.” — Psalm 96:9-13, Green's Literal.

See our study:

Mankind's Course to the Day of Judgment

Nevertheless, once one gets the proper perspective, one can see that there is no contradiction in 2 Samuel 24:1 and 1 Chronicles 21:1.