Why is Jonah upset with the people of Nineveh?

Jonah's anger toward the people of Nineveh stems from their repentance after his proclamation of impending judgment. Throughout the book of Jonah, it is clear that he harbors strong feelings against Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness and hostility toward Israel. When Jonah initially resists God's command to go to Nineveh, he does so out of a belief that God’s mercy might lead to the sparing of these people who he feels do not deserve forgiveness.

Once Jonah finally preaches to Nineveh and they respond with genuine repentance, he becomes upset because he anticipated their destruction rather than their salvation. This reaction highlights Jonah's struggle with the concept of divine mercy extending even to those he considers unworthy. His discontent reflects a deeper theme in the text concerning the nature of God's grace and the challenges of human perspectives on justice and mercy.

This understanding positions his reaction not as a response to being ignored, attacked, or merely being sent to Nineveh but specifically as a reaction to the unexpected compassion shown by God toward the repentant Ninevites.