Jonah said that the city would be overthrown

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III

Jonah

This opinion is confirmed to me by the fact that when Jonah said that the city would be overthrown, he said it whilst being sure in his heart that it was not going to be overthrown and that his word would not be carried out.

He cried out those words reluctantly, merely obeying an order given to him, unconvinced of what he was saying. If he were convinced, his words would have had a stronger effect.

However, Nineveh repented at Jonah's preaching because their hearts were prepared for any word proceeding from the mouth of God. Thus their repentance was so powerful, for it sprang from within and not from without.

Accordingly, the Lord praised the people of Nineveh and their repentance, and said that they shall arise on the Day of Judgment and condemn that generation.