Gospel in Art: The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah

Table Base with Jonah Swallowed and Cast Up by the Big Fish, Asia Minor 300 AD. © The Metropolitan Museum, New York

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 9th March 2022 - Luke 11:29-32

The crowds got even bigger, and Jesus addressed them:

'This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.'

Reflection on the Sculpture

Our sculpture is a 4th-century table base which was found in Tarsus, the birthplace of Saint Paul and an important city in early Christianity. It depicts Jonah after he has been pushed out of the boat. He is being swallowed by a giant fish. It is an important work of art, as it features a rare detailed depiction of a Roman merchant ship.

The beginning of our Gospel reading mentions the word 'sign' four times. The meaning of the 'sign' of Jonah would have been clear to Jesus' disciples and the early Christians. As Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and nights and then was returned unharmed to dry land, so Jesus remained three days in the tomb and rose up from the dead glorified. But, unlike the people of Nineveh, who repented after hearing Jonah's preaching, not all people will recognise the preaching of Jesus…

In Christian Art, as the Hebrew Bible was not very well known to the Romans, depicting the story of Jonah would have been a far safer way to celebrate the faith, than to create images of Jesus. So we often find the story of Jonah depicted in early Christian art, as the Roman authorities would not have imagined that these were artworks to promote the Christian faith. The story of Jonah could only be grasped by those who understood the parallel between him and Jesus of which this passage speaks…

Like Jonah, we are called to let God work through us. Jonah refused his mission at first, but then grew in his mission and resolve. May the Lord grant us that same resolve…

LINKS

Today's story - https://christian.art/en/daily-gospel-reading/1107
Christian Art - www.christian.art