Animals of the Bible · Water · Sea creatures

The Great Fish

The giant of the deep and the rescue of the prophet Jonah

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Key verse
Jonah 1:17
Where it lived
The depths of the Mediterranean Sea and the stormy waters off Joppa
What it reminds us of
Sincere repentance, a second chance and the sign of the Savior’s resurrection
Illustration: The Great Fish

Stories from Scripture

The Great Fish in the stories of the Bible

  1. The prophet Jonah

    Jonah and the great fish

    When the prophet Jonah ran away from the Lord’s command and was thrown into the sea in a great storm, God sent a huge fish that swallowed him. From the dark depths Jonah prayed with tears, and God commanded the fish to bring him safely to shore.

    Jonah 1:17

  2. Jesus Christ

    The sign of the prophet Jonah

    Jesus recalled the story of Jonah, saying that the three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish were a picture of the three days He would spend in the tomb before His glorious resurrection.

    Matthew 12:40

Wonders of Creation

Did you know?

  • Blue whales and sperm whales are the largest creatures that ever lived on earth, with hearts the size of a small car.

  • Whales can dive to depths of thousands of meters and can stay underwater for more than an hour before coming up to the surface to breathe.

  • The underwater songs of whales can travel across the oceans for thousands of kilometers, and they are some of the most beautiful sounds in nature.

What the great fish teaches us

God hears our prayer from any depth

The great fish was not a punishment for Jonah, but the vessel of rescue by which God kept him from drowning. Wherever you are and however frightened you are, God hears you when you call on Him with all your heart.

How we can live this out today

If you have done wrong or not obeyed, admit it honestly and ask to be forgiven. God is full of kindness and always gives you a second chance!

Mini-Quiz

What did you learn about the great fish?

How many days and nights was Jonah in the belly of the great fish before he was brought to dry land?

For parents and children

At home and in Sunday school

A question for parents and children

Why is it important to ask forgiveness when we do wrong? How does the story of Jonah show us that God gives us a second chance?

My prayer
“Lord, thank You for hearing me whenever I call on You. Forgive my mistakes and help me to obey You with all my heart! Amen.”