Gospel in Art: No sign will be given, except the sign of Jonah

Jonah being Devoured by the Whale, Illustration from Bible of St John XXII,14th C, Manuscript from Palace of the Popes of Avignon© Musée Atger, Montpellier, France

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 25 February 2026
Luke 11:29-32

At that time: When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, 'This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgement with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.'

Reflection on the Medieval Illuminated Page

Our illuminated manuscript page, showing Jonah being swallowed by the great fish, comes from the Bible of St John XXII. It once belonged to the second and longest-reigning Avignon Pope (1316-1336), remembered also for canonising St Thomas Aquinas. The miniature captures Jonah in a posture of prayer even at the moment of peril, set against a stylised medieval city that likely represents Nineveh. It beautifully shows how biblical history was imaginatively translated into the visual language of the artist's own time. Such images were not mere decoration: they served as visual theology, guiding meditation, teaching Scripture to those who encountered the page, and not able to read. These illuminations transform the written Word into a luminous encounter with salvation history!

Across medieval Europe, the art of illumination reached extraordinary sophistication. Monastic scriptoria and later urban workshops collaborated to produce manuscripts on fine vellum, enriched with gold leaf, burnished silver, and pigments derived from lapis lazuli, malachite, and other costly minerals. Even after the arrival of printing, illuminated books continued to be prized as objects of devotion and status. These fragile works were vulnerable to war, humid conditions and overall wear and tear. So few have survived.

In today's Gospel reading, the word 'sign' appears four times, emphasising its significance. To Jesus' disciples and the early Christians, the meaning of the 'sign of Jonah' would have been clear. Just as Jonah remained in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights before being delivered safely onto dry land, so too would Jesus remain in the tomb for three days before rising gloriously from the dead. However, while the people of Nineveh repented upon hearing Jonah's preaching, not all would accept the message of Christ-a truth that remains relevant even today.

LINKS

Christian Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reading: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-11-29-32-2026/