1. Por segunda vez la palabra de Yavé llegó a Jonás y le dijo:
2. «Levántate, vete a Nínive, la gran ciudad, y anuncia lo que yo te diga.»
3. Se levantó Jonás y fue a Nínive, como se lo había ordenado Yavé. Nínive era una ciudad muy grande. Se necesitaban tres días para atravesarla.
4. Jonás entró en la ciudad e hizo un día de camino pregonando: «Dentro de cuarenta días Nínive será destruida.»
5. Los ninivitas creyeron en la advertencia de Dios y ordenaron un ayuno, y se vistieron de saco desde el mayor al menor.
6. La noticia llegó hasta el rey de Nínive, que se levantó de su trono, se quitó el manto, se vistió de saco y se sentó sobre cenizas.
7. Luego hizo publicar esta orden en Nínive: «Hombres y bestias no comerán ni beberán nada.
8. Que se vistan de saco y clamen a Dios insistentemente. Que cada uno se corrija de su mala conducta y de sus malas obras.
9. ¿Quién sabe si Dios se arrepentirá y cesará su enojo, de manera que no nos haga morir?»
10. Al ver Dios lo que hacían y cómo se habían arrepentido de su mala conducta, se arrepintió él también y no los castigó como los había amenazado.
Footnotes:
3:1-2 - God again calls Jonah to preach in Nineveh, and he obeys. God's call to bring the message of repentance is an opportunity for salvation, demonstrating God's mercy, which desires all to repent (see also 2 Peter 3:9 and Acts 17:30).
3:3-4 - Jonah preaches the message of impending destruction, and Nineveh begins to repent. The response of the people of Nineveh shows the power of a message of genuine repentance and God's willingness to forgive those who turn to Him (see also Luke 11:32 and Acts 3:19).
3:5-9 - The king of Nineveh humbles himself and orders a fast, demonstrating the action of repentance and the need for public conversion. This reveals that repentance must involve both the personal heart and concrete actions to change (see also Joel 2:12-13 and Luke 3:8).
03:10 - God sees Nineveh's repentance and decides not to destroy the city. This illustrates God's merciful heart, which is willing to forgive and restore those who sincerely repent (see also Ezekiel 18:23 and 1 John 1:9).
Verses related to Jonás, 3:
Jonah chapter 3 recounts the preaching in Nineveh and its surprising impact. How does a pagan city respond to the divine message? This inspiring text describes Jonah's renewed obedience, his preaching of judgment, and Nineveh's extraordinary repentance. The chapter demonstrates God's mercy extending beyond Israel's borders. Jonah 3 raises questions about the nature of true repentance and divine compassion. Examine with us five biblical passages that expand understanding of the themes of repentance and mercy present in this powerful chapter.
Luke 11:32: "The men of Nineveh will rise up in judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now he that is greater than Jonah is here." - Jesus compares Nineveh's repentance to his own generation, referring directly to the events of Jonah 3.
Jeremiah 18:7-8: "If at any time I decree that a nation or a kingdom be uprooted, demolished and destroyed, and if that nation about which I have given warning turns from its wickedness, then I will desist from inflicting upon it the calamity that I had planned." - This passage reflects the principle of repentance and divine mercy seen in God's response to Nineveh.
Ezekiel 18:21-22: "But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; will not die. None of the crimes he committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live." - Ezekiel articulates the principle of divine repentance and forgiveness, exemplified in God's response to Nineveh.
Acts 26:20: "I preached first to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and throughout Judea, and also to the Gentiles, telling them to repent and turn to God, doing works that would demonstrate their repentance." - Paul's preaching to the Gentiles and his call to repentance echo Jonah's mission to Nineveh.
2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord does not delay in fulfilling his promise, as some think. On the contrary, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance." - This verse reflects God's patience and mercy seen in the response to Nineveh.
FAQ:
What happened when Jonah preached in Nineveh?
When Jonah preached in Nineveh, the king and people repented of their sins and cried out to God for forgiveness. God had mercy and did not destroy the city. (Jonah 3:4-10)
How did Nineveh demonstrate repentance?
Nineveh demonstrated repentance by fasting, putting on sackcloth, and turning away from violence and sin, asking for God's mercy. (Jonah 3:5-9)
What did God do after Nineveh repented?
God repented of the evil He planned to do to Nineveh and did not destroy the city, showing His compassion and willingness to forgive. (Jonah 3:10)
Why did God want Jonah to preach in Nineveh?
God wanted Jonah to preach in Nineveh to give the Ninevites an opportunity to repent of their sins and be reconciled to Him. (Jonah 3:2-4)
What can we learn from Nineveh's repentance?
Nineveh's repentance teaches us that no one is beyond God's mercy. Even the greatest sinners can be forgiven if they sincerely repent. (Jonah 3:5-10)
