For children ages 3 to 6

Jonah 3

Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)

2 min read · Updated August 8, 2026
By Jasper & Review team
Bible
By Jasper & Review team

The Explanation

There was a big city. The city was called Nineveh. So big, that you had to walk for three whole days to go all the way through it.

In Nineveh lived a lot of people. But those people were not good. They did mean things. God had seen it all.

Then God said something to Jonah. God said: "Jonah, go to Nineveh. Tell the people what I say."

And this time Jonah listened. He walked and walked, all the way to the big city.

Jonah came into the city. And he called out loud: "In forty days Nineveh will be gone!"

What Does This Mean?

The people of Nineveh heard Jonah. And do you know what they did? They got scared. Really scared.

They thought: we have done wrong. God is angry. What now?

The people said sorry to God. Everyone. The mommies and the daddies. The children. Even the king took off his fancy clothes. He sat down in the ashes. That means: I am so sorry, God.

And they did not eat. Not one bite. Even the little cows and the sheep got no food. That is how sorry they were.

The king said: "Everyone, call out to God! Stop doing bad things! Maybe God will be kind."

The Common Thread

And God saw it. God saw all those people saying sorry. God saw their tears.

And God's heart became warm. God thought: I will not punish them. I forgive them.

That is what God is like. When you say sorry, really sorry, then God is happy. Then He forgives.

Later Jesus came. Jesus told this story too. Jesus said: God loves it when people come back to Him. God has a big, big heart.

For You

You are still small. But sometimes you do something you should not do. Maybe you hit your little brother. Or you said a mean word. Or you took a cookie without asking.

Then your tummy feels a bit yucky inside. Do you know that feeling?

You can do the same as the people of Nineveh. You can say to God: "God, I am sorry." Very simple. In your own words.

And God listens. Always. God is not angry then. God says: it is okay, my child. I love you.

You can also say sorry to Mommy or Daddy. Or to your friend. That is brave. And then everything is good again.

Talk About It

Have you ever said sorry to someone? How did that feel?

What do you think God did when He saw the people crying?

Praying Together

Dear God,

Thank You for listening. Thank You that You have a big heart. Sometimes I do something wrong. Then I want to say sorry to You. Please help me to be sweet. And thank You that You love me.

Amen.

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Questions about Jonah 3

Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.

What is Jonah 3 about?
There was a big city. The city was called Nineveh. So big, that you had to walk for three whole days to go all the way through it.
What does Jonah 3 say?
Then God said something to Jonah. God said: "Jonah, go to Nineveh. Tell the people what I say."
What does Jonah 3 teach us about God?
And they did not eat. Not one bite. Even the little cows and the sheep got no food. That is how sorry they were.
What can toddlers learn from Jonah 3?
You are still small. But sometimes you do something you should not do. Maybe you hit your little brother. Or you said a mean word. Or you took a cookie without asking.
Why is Jonah 3 an important Bible story?
You can also say sorry to Mommy or Daddy. Or to your friend. That is brave. And then everything is good again.

What others discovered

Insight Editorial on verse 2

God said, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you." Notice what Jonah wasn't handed: the words. He had to start walking before he knew what he would say. Maybe you're waiting for the whole plan before you take a step. God gives the message on the road, not in the harbor.

— Faith.Network Editorial
Insight Editorial on verse 5

Jonah preached eight blunt words with no promise of mercy attached, and still: "The people of Nineveh believed God." Not believed Jonah. They heard past the reluctant messenger to the God behind him. And it moved "from their greatest even to their least." What have you dismissed lately because you did not like who was carrying it?

— Faith.Network Editorial
Insight Editorial on verse 6

The king of Nineveh heard the news, rose from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Notice the order. He got up before he sat down. Real repentance is like that. It disturbs your comfort before it brings you low. What throne are you still sitting on, waiting to be moved?

— Faith.Network Editorial
Insight Editorial on verse 8

Notice what the king of Nineveh commands: "let them cry mightily to God. Yes, let them turn everyone from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands."

Crying out is not enough. The hands must change too. It's possible to pray passionately while still clutching what wounds others. What are your hands holding right now that your prayers keep asking God to bless?

— Faith.Network Editorial

Looking for something for slightly older children?

We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).

Open in the Children's Bible tool

For parents and teachers: Written especially to be read aloud to children ages 3 to 6. Use it as a starting point for a conversation with your child, not as the only source. This explanation is generated automatically by language models. While we strive for theological soundness, the software can make mistakes.

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