Hence it is clear that those mariners

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III

Jonah

Hence it is clear that those mariners had a pure and sensitive conscience to which they scrupulously wanted to remain loyal.

It was not a light matter for them to commit a sin no matter how pressing the external circumstances were and in spite of the justifying reasons. Their attitude towards Jonah was very noble, very merciful and in accordance with the will of God.