The Bible is a complex and intricate work that spans across multiple books, genres, and time periods. Yet, despite the differences in style and content, there are often striking similarities and connections between various parts of the Bible. One such connection can be found between the book of Jonah in the Old Testament and the Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament. In this article we explore thematic similarities between these two parts of the Bible. We will demonstrate thematic similarities and foreshadowing the Gospels in Jonah.

The Gospels, on the other hand, tell the story of Jesus Christ, the Son of God who was sent to save the world from sin and death. Like Jonah, Jesus is initially rejected by the people he came to save. He is betrayed by one of his own disciples, arrested, and sentenced to death by the Roman authorities. However, through his death and resurrection, Jesus offers the opportunity for forgiveness and eternal life to all who believe in him.

Thematic Similarities

Despite the differences in the stories, there are several thematic similarities between the book of Jonah and the Gospels. One is the idea of repentance and salvation. In Jonah, the people of Nineveh repent of their wickedness and turn to God, leading to their salvation from judgment. Similarly, in the Gospels, Jesus calls on people to repent and believe in him in order to be saved from sin and death.

This theme is highlighted in Luke 5:32, where Jesus says, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Similarly, in Matthew 9:13, Jesus says, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Another thematic similarity between Jonah and the Gospels is the idea of obedience to God’s will. In Jonah, the prophet is called by God to preach to the people of Nineveh, but initially disobeys and attempts to flee. However, after being swallowed by the great fish, Jonah finally obeys and delivers God’s message to the people of Nineveh.

Similarly, in the Gospels, Jesus is portrayed as obedient to the will of God, even to the point of death. In John 5:30, Jesus says, “I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is righteous, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent me.” This theme is also highlighted in the Lord’s Prayer, where Jesus prays, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

Foreshadowing

In addition to the thematic similarities, there are also several instances of foreshadowing in the book of Jonah that anticipate events in the Gospels.

Three days

One of the most notable examples is the story of Jonah being swallowed by the great fish. In Matthew 12:40, Jesus says, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Here, Jesus is referring to his own death and resurrection, which is foreshadowed by Jonah’s time in the belly of the fish. Just as Jonah emerged from the fish after three days, so too did Jesus emerge from the tomb after three days.

Repentance and humility

Another example of foreshadowing can be found in the story of Jonah’s mission to Nineveh. In Jonah 3:5-6, we read, “The people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.” This response of repentance and humility is echoed in the Gospels, where we see people responding in a similar way to the message of Jesus. Coincidentally there is a similar example of redemptive love found in the book of Ruth.

For example, in Matthew 3:5-6, we read about people coming to John the Baptist and confessing their sins, saying, “I have sinned against heaven and against you.” Similarly, in Luke 7:36-50, we read about a woman who washes Jesus’ feet with her tears and anoints them with perfume, showing her deep repentance and devotion to him.

God’s mystifying love

Finally, there is a striking similarity between the ending of the book of Jonah and the mission of Jesus. In Jonah 4:2, we read, “O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” Here, Jonah is expressing his frustration and disappointment that God has shown mercy to the people of Nineveh, despite their wickedness.

Similarly, in the Gospels, we see the religious leaders of the time expressing similar sentiments towards Jesus, who they saw as a threat to their authority. In John 11:48, we read, “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” This fear of losing their power and influence ultimately led to the crucifixion of Jesus.

Concluding thoughts

In conclusion, the book of Jonah and the Gospels share several thematic similarities and instances of foreshadowing that point towards the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Both stories emphasize the need for repentance and obedience to God’s will, and anticipate the coming of the Messiah who would offer salvation to all who believe in him. As we continue to read and study the Bible, it is important to look for these connections and similarities, which help to deepen our understanding and appreciation of God’s plan for humanity.