39He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. (Matthew 12:39)
Yom Kippur (Yom Hakippurim) is the Day of the Atonements.
Before the Temple was destroyed, this was the time of ritual blood sacrifice in the Holy of Holies.
It is tradition that the story of Jonah and the whale is always read on Kol Nidre.
(Yes, I know that JWs are told that this has to do with the three days of resurrection. But unless you are willing to believe that WT tells the truth in all things, I suggest you dispense with their interpretation and see this in another light.)
When the story of Jonah is read, this is in preparation for the reason of the blood sacrifice.
It is emphasized that Jonah was a selfish person who paid no heed to what was righteous.
He lived his own life in disregard for helping others.
And even when he did finally do the right thing as he was instructed to do originally, he was pissed off that god did not kill off the people he had warned.
Jonah was always looking out for himself. Looking out for number one.
Jonah is more concerned about his reputation and that his prophecy did not happen.
He cares more for his ego and reputation than for the people.
The parable of Jonah is about self centered people.
Before the Temple was destroyed, a blood sacrifice was given in the stead of the sinful, self-centered people.
And to take away the sins of such people, tradition calls for one who is not self centered to stand in place of the many who are. The executioner then places his hands on the head of this scapegoat sacrifice (which takes the death punishment these others are deserving of), and believes that their sins are transferred onto this "innocent one".
This is the real Purim. This is when the blood sacrifice is given in the Holy of Holies.
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I think what Jesus meant when he said 'no sign will be given except for that of Jonah'.....actually meant that you will have no foreknowledge of events until it is upon you and too late to stop what has been set in motion!