A reluctant prophet attempts to evade a divine mandate, triggering a series of events that force him to confront his own prejudices and the nature of mercy. Jonah serves as the central figure, tasked with delivering a message of repentance to the city of Nineveh. He faces internal resistance and external physical trials, including a maritime disaster and a period of confinement within a large sea creature. The narrative framework follows the traditional biblical account, adapted into a musical structure that emphasizes the protagonist's psychological struggle against his perceived duty. The work utilizes the interplay between vocal soloists and choral arrangements to represent the tension between individual will and divine command.

Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of William Mathias's musical score in capturing the turbulent emotional state of the protagonist. Listeners frequently highlight the balance between the somber, reflective passages and the more chaotic, rhythmic sections that depict the storm and the city of Nineveh. Critics often point to the work's ability to modernize ancient themes through complex harmonic structures and vocal dynamics. Readers and audiences alike note that the piece succeeds in humanizing a figure often viewed through a purely theological lens, making the narrative accessible to those interested in both music and drama.