The Sign of Jonah and the Gentile Mission

From an older article at SFM, suggesting that the "sign of Jonah" is related not only to Jesus' being buried in the tomb (and this is Holy Saturday, which is why this caught my interest), but also to the influx of Gentiles into the Church, just as Jonah's message brought about the repentance of the Ninevites.

We have suggested (at least) a three-fold meaning for the “sign of
Jonah” expression in Matthew 16, and now we must ask questions
about the application of these insights to ministry in the Arab world
today.

The Sign of Jonah qua influx of gentiles. Matthew uses this story
about the sign of Jonah to teach and encourage his readers, who are
experiencing a large influx of Gentiles into their communities, that
in spite of the hectic and difficult aspects of the situation it is actu-
ally a messianic sign and a fulfillment of prophecy. In other words,
Matthew, in his own way, is accomplishing what Paul does through
more explicit writing about the mystery of the church that, to every-
one’s surprise, is growing rapidly amongst the gentiles.

Read it all here.