They were the evidence given when John the Baptizer doubted. They forced the Pharisees to accept or reject his claims. So, how would his "home crowd" respond? How will Herod, who has only heard of him, respond?

Jesus has been rejected by the nation of Israel. His offer of the Messianic Kingdom has been withdrawn from that generation. Through the following parables Jesus reveals the nature of the interim Kingdom. He is preparing His disciples for their role in interim Kingdom.

The sign of Jonah is the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth after three days in the grave! The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate sign and proof that Jesus is the promised Messiah-King. But as Matthew will report, even the ultimate sign of the resurrection of Jesus will be rejected by the scribes and Pharisees.

Matthew interprets Jesus' withdrawal as the fulfillment of Isaiah 42:1-4 which emphasizes that Messiah's ministry will be Holy Spirit empowered, non-combative, expanded to include Gentiles and ultimately successful.

Jesus shifts from persuading the nation to liberating individuals from the bondage of Pharisaical Judaism in order that they may truly know God and experience His life of soul-rest (11:27-30).

The campaign may have taken well over a year as the goal was to reach every town and village in all Israel. The Pharisees have begun a counter-campaign likely utilizing the network of synagogues to spread their lie. The lie: Jesus is empowered by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, not the Holy Spirit of Yahweh.

Everything between 10:5 through 11:1 pertains to this Big Push to evangelize all the towns and villages of Israel. It is likely this campaign lasted many months or more, possibly a year. Jesus will go to those towns/villages the disciples discover are favorable
to Him.

To repent means "to change one's mind". About what does Jesus call the Jews to repent? Jesus calls His fellow Jews to change their minds about whom they are following. He calls them to follow the new wine of His teachings and to turn away from the old wine of the scribes and Pharisees.