Matthew 12:40

In the same way that Jonah. See Jonah 1:17. (Note there is no "whale" there. It was a "big fish," possibly a white shark which is reported to be able to swallow a horse whole. God prepared it specially.) The miracle was that Jonah's life was protected during the time spent in the big fish. This is symbolic of the time Jesus would spend in the grave and then be raised from death. Three days and three nights. This is a Jewish expression. Jesus said in Matthew 16:21, that he would be raised to life "on the third day." Mark records this as "after three days" (Mark 8:31). In Jewish usage, "three days and three nights," "on the third day," and "after three days," all mean the same period of time. (See 2 Chronicles 10:5; 2 Chronicles 10:12; Esther 4:16; Esther 5:1.) Christ was buried Friday evening, was in the grave Saturday, and raised from death very early Sunday morning.