What is the context?
God tells Jonah son of Amittai to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. Jonah gets up, but travels to Joppa and boards a ship for Tarshish, fleeing from the Lord’s presence.
2 Kings 14:23–27 also identifies Jonah son of Amittai as a prophet from Gath-hepher during Jeroboam’s reign. Nineveh was an Assyrian city; its remains lie across the Tigris from Mosul’s Old City, as described in Iraq’s heritage submission to UNESCO.
The opening places God’s command beside Jonah’s refusal. Chapter 4 will explain his reason: he knew God was compassionate and feared that Nineveh would receive mercy. For now, the prophet is attempting to leave the work to which God has called him.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Henry and Wesley read the account as the experience of a prophet who disobeys God. The USCCB introduction discusses the book’s teaching through story, including proposed genres such as parable and satire. These readings differ over the story’s form while recognizing its challenge to narrow views of God’s mercy.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Matthew 28:18–20 gives the risen Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations. His authority and continuing presence support the mission.
Jonah’s commission and the church’s commission belong to different moments, but both confront a reluctance to take God’s word beyond familiar boundaries. God’s saving purpose reaches people His servants might hesitate to approach. In the gospel, that worldwide mission centers on the risen Christ.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.