An Exegetical Analysis of the Correlative Conjunction ὥσπερ…οὕτως in Matthew 12:40
This exegetical study of Matthew 12:40 is based on a b-greek discussion from June 22nd, 2017. The discussion originated from an inquiry into a proposed translation of Matthew 12:40: “For the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights for the same reason that Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.” This rendering suggests an inferential or causal link between the two events described in the verse, thereby proposing a shared underlying motivation for both.
The central exegetical issue under examination is the precise semantic function of the Greek correlative conjunction ὥσπερ…οὕτως in Matthew 12:40. The question is whether this construction exclusively establishes a comparative relationship (“just as…so”), or if, in this context, it can also convey an inferential or causal link, implying a shared underlying ‘reason’ for both Jonah’s three days in the sea monster and the Son of Man’s three days in the earth. This involves a critical assessment of the Greek syntax, the lexical semantics of the individual terms, and their usage in parallel passages within the Gospel of Matthew.
ὥσπερ γὰρ ἦν Ἰωνᾶς ἐν τῇ κοιλίᾳ τοῦ κήτους τρεῖς ἡμέρας καὶ τρεῖς νύκτας, οὕτως ἔσται ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τῆς γῆς τρεῖς ἡμέρας καὶ τρεῖς νύκτας
(Nestle 1904)
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- There are no significant textual differences between the Nestle 1904 edition and the SBL Greek New Testament (2010) for Matthew 12:40.
The critical apparatus of the Nestle-Aland 28th edition (NA28) indicates no significant textual variants for Matthew 12:40 that would alter the meaning or the interpretation of the ὥσπερ…οὕτως construction. For this specific verse, there are no variant readings documented that would affect the understanding of the correlative pair. While a comprehensive lexical study would typically include detailed entries from various sources, this analysis will primarily utilize BDAG, as referenced in the discussion, alongside general observations informed by works such as KITTEL’s TDNT where relevant to the broader semantic field.
Lexical analysis, drawing primarily from BDAG, illuminates the individual components of the correlative construction. The term ὥσπερ (hōsper) is defined as “a marker of similarity between events and states” (BDAG, s.v. ὥσπερ). Etymologically, it is a crasis of ὡς (hōs, “as” or “like”) and περ (per, an intensifying particle), thereby emphasizing the comparative aspect, conveying “just as” or “even as.” This composite nature reinforces its function as a precise marker of likeness rather than causality. The adverb οὕτως (houtōs) is typically translated “thus,” “in this manner,” or “in like manner” (BDAG, s.v. οὕτως), often pointing to what precedes or follows in a comparative or consequential relationship. While BDAG acknowledges an inferential use for οὕτως in certain contexts, particularly when it functions as an anaphoric or cataphoric indicator of consequence or result, its combination with ὥσπερ in this correlative construction primarily signals comparison.
Regarding specific terms in the verse, κῆτος (kētos) refers to a “sea monster” or “large fish” (BDAG, s.v. κῆτος), which has been variously translated as “whale” or “fish” in English versions, reflecting the specific animal from the Book of Jonah. The phrase ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τῆς γῆς (en tē kardia tēs gēs) literally means “in the heart of the earth,” a metaphorical expression for the tomb or the realm of the dead, contrasting with the common understanding of “land” as distinct from “sea.” The imperfect tense ἦν (ēn) in the first clause (“Jonah was in the belly…”) suggests a continuous state or duration, emphasizing the prolonged nature of his confinement.
Translation Variants
The proposed translation, “For the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights for the same reason that Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights,” introduces a causal element not inherent in the ὥσπερ…οὕτως construction. Grammatically and rhetorically, this rendering over-interprets the relationship between the clauses. While οὕτως can have an inferential use, its pairing with ὥσπερ in a comparative clause strongly emphasizes analogy rather than shared causality. Critics in the discussion correctly noted that there is no obvious shared “reason” for Jonah’s confinement and Christ’s death and resurrection that is explicitly stated or strongly implied by the Greek. The purpose of Jonah’s experience (divine discipline leading to repentance) differs from the purpose of Christ’s death (atonement and resurrection). Thus, seeking a common “reason” for both events misconstrues the nature of the comparison.
A closer examination of Matthew’s usage reinforces this understanding. Parallel passages such as Matthew 13:40 (“ὥσπερ οὖν συλλέγεται τὰ ζιζάνια… οὕτως ἔσται ἡ συντέλεια τοῦ αἰῶνος”), 24:27 (“ὥσπερ γὰρ ἡ ἀστραπὴ ἐξέρχεται… οὕτως ἔσται ἡ παρουσία τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου”), and 24:37-38 (“ὥσπερ γὰρ αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ Νῶε, οὕτως ἔσται ἡ παρουσία τοῦ υἱοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρώπου… ὥσπερ γὰρ ἦσαν ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις…”) consistently demonstrate ὥσπερ…οὕτως functioning as a simple comparative marker, highlighting the manner or likeness of two events, not a shared underlying cause. In these instances, no interpreter would suggest a “same reason” translation, indicating that such an interpretation is an outlier without strong contextual or grammatical support.
Rhetorically, the passage establishes a typological parallel, a common hermeneutical device in Matthew. Jonah’s experience serves as a clear prefigurement or foreshadowing of Christ’s burial and resurrection. The imperfect tense of ἦν in the first clause emphasizes the continuous duration of Jonah’s stay. The focus is on the duration and circumstances of their respective periods of confinement, emphasizing the divine pattern rather than a shared causal nexus. The intent is to draw a direct analogy between two distinct, divinely orchestrated events.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
Based on lexical, grammatical, and contextual analysis, the correlative construction ὥσπερ…οὕτως in Matthew 12:40 primarily functions to establish a comparison of manner and circumstance, not a shared underlying reason or cause. The passage presents a clear typology, where Jonah’s experience foreshadows the Son of Man’s burial and resurrection. Introducing a causal “for the same reason” fundamentally misrepresents the Greek syntax and the theological intent of the author.
Therefore, the following translations are suggested:
-
Just as Jonah was continuously in the belly of the sea monster for three days and three nights, so also will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
This translation prioritizes a literal and direct rendering of the comparative construction, emphasizing the parallelism and the continuous nature of Jonah’s confinement.
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For even as Jonah remained in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, in the same way the Son of Man will be in the heart of the land for three days and three nights.
This version maintains the strong comparative sense while offering slightly more idiomatic phrasing, clarifying κῆτος as “great fish,” and using “land” for γῆς to highlight its contrast with the sea.
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For as Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so in like manner the Son of Man will be in the realm of the dead for three days and three nights.
This rendering provides a more dynamic equivalent for “heart of the earth” (realm of the dead) and maintains the core comparative meaning, highlighting the duration and analogy.