Rediscovering Jonah: The Secret of God's Mercy

by Timothy J. Keller

Pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller reveals the hidden depths within the book of Jonah—the most misunderstood parable in the Bible.

Previously published as The Prodigal Prophet

The story of Jonah is one of the most well-known parables in the Bible. It is also the most misunderstood. Many people, even those who are nonreligious, are familiar with A rebellious prophet who defies God and is swallowed by a whale. But there's much more to Jonah's story than most of us realize.

In Rediscovering Jonah, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller reveals the hidden depths within the book of Jonah. Keller makes the case that Jonah was one of the worst prophets in the entire Bible. And yet there are unmistakably clear connections between Jonah, the prodigal son, and Jesus. Jesus in fact saw himself in Jonah. How could one of the most defiant and disobedient prophets in the Bible be compared to Jesus?

Jonah's journey also doesn't end when he is freed from the belly of the fish. There is an entire second half to his story—but it is left unresolved within the text of the Bible. Why does the book of Jonah end on what is essentially a cliffhanger? In these pages, Timothy Keller provides an answer to the extraordinary conclusion of this biblical parable—and shares the powerful Christian message at the heart of Jonah's story.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christianity, Nonfiction

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Timothy Keller was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, which he started in 1989 with his wife, Kathy, and three young sons. For over twenty years he has led a diverse congregation of young professionals that has grown to a weekly attendance of over 5,000.

He was also Chairman of Redeemer City to City, which starts new churches in New York and other global cities, and publishes books and resources for faith in an urban culture. In over ten years they have helped to launch over 250 churches in 48 cities. More recently, Dr. Keller’s books, including the New York Times bestselling The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, have sold over 1 million copies and been translated into 15 languages.

Christianity Today has said, “Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians.”

Dr. Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He previously served as the pastor of West Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Hopewell, Virginia, Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, and Director of Mercy Ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America.

Reviews

[Jake Childers · Rating 5 out of 5]

So part of me is like “Jake, you can’t keep giving every book 5 stars.” But can I really blame myself for having such good taste in literature? What can I say. Rediscovering Jonah was awesome, I am so thankful for how the Lord used Tim Keller through this work and others to speak to me. I will include my favorite quote which I think summarizes the book so well.

Jonah went into the depths of the sea in order to save the sailors, but Jesus went into the depths of death and separation from God—hell itself—in order to save Jonah. Jonah is crushed under the weight of the "waves and breakers" (verse Jonah 2:3) of God's “waters" (verse 5), but Jesus was buried under the waves and billows of God's wrath. Jonah said he was in Sheol and driven from God's sight. The Apostles Creed says that, for our sake, Jesus "descended into hell."

[Micah Natal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it on a single day, it’s that good. Keller takes Jonah’s story and holds up a mirror to our own hearts, showing how easily we resist the very mercy we depend on. Clear, convicting, and Christ-centered. This book will leave you marveling at the God who pursues rebels with relentless grace.

[Timothy Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timothy Keller’s The Prodigal Prophet: Rediscovering Jonah is a profound exploration of the biblical story of Jonah, skillfully unpacking its themes of grace, mercy, and the human heart’s resistance to God’s call. Keller weaves together theology, cultural insights, and practical application to reveal Jonah as a mirror of our own struggles with obedience and compassion. The book highlights God’s relentless pursuit of both sinners and self-righteous believers, emphasizing His boundless love for all people. Written in Keller’s clear, engaging style, this book is both convicting and inspiring, offering fresh perspectives on a familiar story and its relevance for modern faith.

[Christian Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bro just doesn't miss

[Stephanie Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great analysis that breaks down the whole book of Jonah and peers into the heart position of Jonah. It points the mirror on themes like faith, grace, self-righteousness, justice, nationalism, idolatry, loving the neighbor, and more. It distinctly expresses how enacting social justice and sharing the Gospel walks hand in hand, despite how at-odds these practices are in today’s age.

“The gospel holds out to us the prospect of a self-worth not achieved but received. While we maintain all our identifications within our race, gender, family, community, and other connections, the most fundamental thing about us is that we are sinners saved by grace. In ourselves we are lost, flawed, and undeserving, but in Christ we are completely accepted and delighted in by the one in the universe we adore the most.”

[Stephanie Greer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet again, thank you Tim.
This is wonderful for diving into Jonah and considering in so many ways how God’s grace in Christ meets us (because we are all Jonah). I’m convinced that we can relate to so many of Jonah’s heart issues and am encouraged to read about all the way God’s mercy meets (and confronts) him, because it’s true for us too. I won’t ever think of Jonah the same way!

[Hayden Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has encouraged my soul. The way Tim Keller makes Jonah come to life and shares how all sin is running from God and God’s grace is His pursuit of us. Also, a dude got swallowed by a whale like last week. Crazy bruh

[John Majors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little overview of Jonah. Keller does a masterful job of highlighting the parallels and contrasts with the life of Jesus. I assumed this was just a collection of his sermons (which would be great), but it is better organized. As Keller states in the intro, when he sat down to write this book, he had preached through the book at least three times over the decades and used that material as a starting point. It is not just a commentary, but a book anyone can read and apply to their life, it reads with an ease and flow of his other books (and the parallels to his book "Prodigal God" are clear and intentional).

[Scott Coulter]

For the 2023 #vtReadingChallenge, this is my book #22, for the category "A Commentary on a Book of the Bible". My choice of this book came about during the week that both Rev. Harry Reeder and Rev. Timothy Keller passed away. I wanted to read something by either (or each) of them, and of the two, Keller was the one generally well-known enough to have his books in my local public library.
Keller's volume on Jonah is divided into two halves, the first of which follows the sort of "traditional" pattern of chapters of the book focused on each "scene" in the narrative, covering sometimes just two or three verses, sometimes as many as 10 or 12. The second half of this volume has three long chapters which widen the view to more over-arching themes (one would be just slightly tempted to say "things Keller wanted to write about that week", but that sounds more negative than it deserves... the book of Jonah still serves as his framework from which to communicate the overall themes).
The only other Keller volume that I've previously read is "Generous Justice" (I enjoyed and was greatly challenged by that work, and it's on my "to re-read" list), and many of those themes were visited here too. The story of Jonah definitely calls us to consider how we think about, and act towards, those who are nationally, racially and/or religiously different from us. The answer, which we just need to keep hearing again and again, is "those who have received grace and mercy should be showing grace and mercy". It's (somewhat) easy to SAY, and a lifetime of challenge to DO. I'm very grateful to Keller for both teaching and living out those principles through his whole life and ministry.

[Tiffany Godfrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent study on the book of Jonah. If you've grown up in church you have heard the story of Jonah many, many times! From Sunday services to Veggie Tales, I think most of us have an image of Jonah in our heads and often even sigh when a pastor decides to again preach on this book.

But this novel was a brand new eye opening look at Jonah for me. Coupled with a four part sermon series by Miles Fiddell, at Auburn Community Church, I devoured this study and saw biblical truths in Jonah I had never before considered. I would enjoy re-reading it again immediately because there was so much to digest. This book would make a great one month Bible study alone or with a group, and I recommend including the sermon series I mentioned above.

[EmReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first half of this book, given that Jonah is one of my favourite stories in the Bible. I can't tell if I slowly lost interest in the second half because I took so long to finish the book, or if the second half was not as interesting to me (what influence came first?). Either way, it was still a good read and I look forward to reading other Timothy Keller books in the future.

[Ben Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

reflects on me more than Keller

This book was really hard for me to connect with— it felt a bit disjointed, like a book forced together out of a sermon series. As I have reflected on why that might be, I think it is because of my own feelings of disillusionment (sound familiar??). I will revisit this in a couple of years and we will see if I feel the same!

[Hayley Gustafson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Keller has some great points and highlights some gospel connections between Jonah and the NT that I had never noticed. However, Jonah is 4 short chapters and this book is 10 chapters. If it was a shorter book I would have ranked it higher. The material really gets drawn out and what were interesting points in the first few chapters becomes repetitive by the later chapters.

[Jamie Whisler · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Really good deep dive on Jonah that forced me to slow down and appreciate SO MUCH more than I ever had - a story that to me had still been associated with felt boards (LOL) but has a lot more depth than I thought.

[Caitlin Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

At long last - finished this one! Honestly glad I took a while to read it because I feel like I really got to enjoy all the wisdom Tim Keller shared. Such great insight I had never heard before and such good perspectives! Incredible stuff

[Alessia Scarpello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading the book. It’s one of the underrated stories from the Bible with so deep meanings. I love the book from the start till the end.

[Mazie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5! The only reason for not giving five stars is because of how impactful Prayer (his book) was and I kind of was comparing( which I tried not to) .Such great knowledge (as always) by TK!

[Dāvis Deivids · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book. Took a while book of Jonah and tore it apart to show how things look in detail and how God uses many things to work through us and towards others. Quite easy to read too.

[Ashley BCJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was wonderfully encouraging. I can’t wait to meet Tim Keller one day.

[Cara Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most timely Christian take on our world today that I have read in awhile (probably since I finished Uncommon Ground, also by Tim Keller). Highly recommend.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the various lens Keller looked at the book of Jonah through. This book helped me further understand God’s grace and how we should interact with God and others, especially those we view as an enemy, as a result. Keller also used a variety of sources to dive deeply into Jonah, which I appreciated

[James Hansee · Rating 4 out of 5]

As would be expected from Tim Keller, a thoughtful, intelligent, analysis of Jonah with some significant personal applications. Great read. Also great for preachers if they are preaching through the book of Jonah.

[Esther Bouchillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked the beginning. Didn't enjoy the last 2 chapters with his opinions quite as much.

[Jon Major · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book on the story of Jonah. Just like Jonah went through different storms, we encounter the same storms. He rebelled but came back to God, and shows us the secret of Gods mercy.

[Chad Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Keller is a genius! An amazing analysis of the book of Jonah. I learned so much.

[Cheri Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Timely Read For Our Era

Noah’s response to God’s call is not so very different from our own. We divide people people into different groups and those who are vastly different from us, we fail to see God’s love for them. This book is full of insights needed for the times we are living in.

[Daniel Addo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Self-righteousness, justice, and the gospel

My reading of this book challenged me about the self-righteousness that lurks in my heart. It is so insidious that we can intellectually know God’s grace and yet think we were somehow special to earn it. Jonah shows us that learning grace is a process and Tim draws this lesson out beautifully. I also enjoyed Tim’s refusal, despite being called a social justice warrior, to separate preaching the gospel from doing justice. Tim maintains that the most loving thing we can give people is the gospel. Yet he challenges us to not separate our faith from works of mercy and love. Finally, Tim is so gifted at showing the gospel theme in every bible book! I am reminded of God’s grace as I read almost every page! Jesus was thrown into the River of God’s wrath so that I can live without condemnation. He is the true Jonah. Praise God!

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s clear as you progress through this book that Tim Keller has a love for the city. That heart serves this book well, because what is the story of Jonah if not a call to extend mercy and show love to “the city”? This is a look at Jonah I would commend. It’s fairly obvious that the book is really several sermons spliced together as the structure and rhythm of the book gets a little wonky. You seem to have gone through the entire book - and then it jumps into more. That being said, I still really enjoyed this book. It is loaded with things to mull over.

[Paul Pompa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keller is a masterful theologian and author. He is a good and faithful servant. He has a simple yet rich style. I learned so much about the book of Jonah. I saw tons more room for self examination and application. I never really appreciated well how closely the book of Jonah is tied to the gospels. A must read.

[Steve Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keller makes Jonah’s story more personal

I have known and read about the story of Jonah since I was 7. I went to seminary and learned a bit more. I’ve sat through sermons over 50+ years and hear the same applications. This book by Tim Keller took it to a whole new level! A MUST read for every child of the King!