The answer is: Jonah

Matt 12:38-39 - Referring to the three days and nights that Jonah has spent in the belly of the great fish

When Jesus engaged with the Scribes and Pharisees, His mention of Jonah was like dropping a spotlight on a storied movie everyone in the audience had seen. Jonah wasn't just any prophet; he was known for his dramatic call to go to Nineveh, a city infamous for its wickedness. Can you imagine being told to bring a warning to the very people who notoriously mistreated outsiders? Talk about nerve!

The fascinating part here is the three days and nights aspect. Just as Jonah spent time bouncing around in the belly of the fish, Jesus referenced His own future—a foreshadowing of His time in the tomb. This playful connection draws a parallel for anyone who’s paying close attention, pulling both stories into a single narrative of rebirth and purpose.

Funny enough, Jonah’s about-face journey was filled with realizations, kind of like figuring out that surprise birthday party isn’t so bad after all. And when considering the call for a sign from the Scribes and Pharisees, it hints at humanity's search for miraculous confirmations of divine intentions—a bit like waiting for clouds to part and reveal hidden treasures of meanings.

Additionally, Jonah's tale reflects on redemption and the complexity of mercy, which ripples beautifully throughout both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. In the grand tapestry of Biblical stories, Jonah acts as a reminder that sometimes what seems pivotal is merely a look into what lies beneath many layers of understanding and experience.