What mentality did the Jews share with Jonah about going to Gentiles?
The Jews shared Jonah's reluctance and aversion toward ministering to Gentiles. Although they knew the prophets spoke of Israel being a light to the Gentiles, they did not expect it in their generation. Like Jonah, who would rather walk the plank than go to a Gentile city, their attitude had not changed.
Les explains that this was unheard of in the Jewish culture. They had no idea they were to go to the Gentiles. They knew the prophets spoke of it, and they knew Isaiah spoke of Israel being a light unto the Gentiles, but certainly not their generation. They had the same mentality that Jonah had, and Jonah would rather walk the plank than go to a Gentile city. Their attitude had not changed. So when God told Ananias that Saul was a chosen vessel to bear His name before Gentiles, Ananias likely swallowed hard. Up until this time, God had been dealing only with the nation of Israel, only with the Jew, marking a drastic change of direction.