My Jonah 3 commentary revolves around three key themes. Divine judgement, human repentance, and the boundless reach of God’s compassion. After Jonah’s near-death encounter in the sea and his reluctant submission to God’s call, we now witness what is arguably the greatest revival recorded in Scripture. A pagan empire turns its heart toward the Lord.
Jonah 3:1-4
‘Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”’ Jonah 3:1-4 ESV
The opening of the third chapter is an almost verbatim repetition of God’s call to action in Jonah 1:2. But, in light of what happened in Jonah 2, we should view this repetition as an offering of mercy. Jonah is granted a second chance.
Gadol גדול appears again, this time in reference to the city. This time, the author goes so far as to render a measurement (three day’s journey in breadth). The archaeological sites surrounding the area (modern day Mosul, Iraq) confirm that Nineveh was indeed largest city in the world, at the time. But, not that big.
I have seen various writers try to explain this distance, describing it as the time it would take to journey around the city, or perhaps to traverse all the populated areas surrounding the walled city. To me, it seems almost as if Nineveh is set up within the text as a larger than life example, demonstrating the power and scope of God’s ability to extend grace to mankind. That aligns with verse three, where the Hebrew refers to Nineveh as עיר גדולה לאלהים ir g’dola l’elohim, which translates to “a city great to God”.
Last, we see Jonah’s proclamation in verse 4. The verb haphakh has two separate meanings. One is to be overthrown, and the other is to be transformed (Psalm 30:11, when God turns mourning into joy). The ambiguity seems deliberate. One way or another, Nineveh would be changed forever when its time of testing reached an end.
Jonah 3:5
“And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.” Jonah 3:5 ESV
What a shock this must have been for the original audience. Witness the pagan nation responding instantly to this prophetic warning. First, the sailors, and now the worst of humanity surrenders to the unseen word of Yahweh.
The repentance described within the chapter is communal and comprehensive. From the greatest to the least, they don the traditional sign of mourning and contrition, sackcloth.
Jonah 3:6–9
“The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, ‘By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.’” Jonah 3:6-9 ESV
The king follows his people’s lead, here. And, he even amplifies the people’s repentance. His physical actions are a step by step reversal of his power and pride. Each gesture shows his descent from status to humility.
The inclusion of animals might seem a little ridiculous. But, remember that this was a time in which animals bore the guilt of their owners. More than once, God required the destruction of livestock owned by the enemies of his people.
The king’s question shows trust without presumption. Did you notice that Jonah’s proclamation was not actually a call for repentance? Jonah promised destruction. And, despite this promise of destruction, the king and his people trusted God. This is repentance in its purest form, hope without entitlement.
Jonah 3:10
“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.” Jonah 3:10
This verse is the climax of the book. It is precisely this response which we rely on, in our own relationship with almighty God. The Hebrew verb נהם naham (“relented”) conveys deep emotional movement, and it’sthe same root used when God “regretted” making humanity before the flood (Genesis 6:6 ESV).
From a theological standpoint, this moment captures the prophetic hope of the entire Old Testament, that even Gentile nations can repent and live. Early Christian writers such as Augustine and Chrysostom viewed the deliverance of Nineveh as a foreshadowing of Gentile inclusion.
Conclusion
Jonah 3 contains three surprising reversals. The rebellious prophet obeys, the violent empire surrenders, and our just God relents. As a chapter, it reveals that wrath is not God’s final word. Mercy is. And, that truth about His nature gives me a lot of hope.
There is a judgement that has been pronounced over mankind. Each of us is going to be tested. And, yet God extends compassion to all of us. Even the worst of us. All we must do is surrender.
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