Traditions of men which contradict The Word are an abomination, whether they are from Judaism or Catholicism. (Protestantism is one very small step from the previous). Yeshua constantly came against Scribes and Pharisees, espousing their traditions which contradicted the instructions of the Creator and King.
Yeah...it always sounded off to me that Jesus could have died on Friday before sundown and be raised by the time Sunday sunrise came around and that somehow worked out to be three days and three nights. I think the idea of a long holiday weekend was the real impetus behind the Good Friday observance (we used to actually get a paid holiday for that Friday at one time).
The reference to Jonah is about weather forecasting and signs. What a person sees because of how he perceives things. How he is able to determine what (or who) is coming on the scene. Problem-solving based on a Torah-correct sense of judgment. Yet,
This business about Jewish settings and customs and knowing all kinds of background, Jewish or Christian, exoteric or esoteric? This has its merits, but watch it all get up-ended. The true tzaddik will appear and people won't notice because they'll be too busy learning about proper perspectives. And he'll be too occupied with his selfless works to keep up with all the doctrinal noise, "correct historical settings", or other internet rabblings. Now if instead, people observe and then do what he's doing... ah, there's the proper perspective, hiding in plain sight.
Who is it who generates vision and insight? The one who gives sight to the blind.
John 9
24 Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.
25 He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?
27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples.
29 We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is.
30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
32 Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind.
33 If this man were not of God, he could do nothing.
34 They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Matthew 12
38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 16:1-4
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.