Luke 11:31
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Original Language Analysis
νότου
of the south
G3558
νότου
of the south
Strong's:
G3558
Word #:
2 of 31
the south(-west) wind; by extension, the southern quarter itself
ἐγερθήσεται
shall rise up
G1453
ἐγερθήσεται
shall rise up
Strong's:
G1453
Word #:
3 of 31
to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κρίσει
the judgment
G2920
κρίσει
the judgment
Strong's:
G2920
Word #:
6 of 31
decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
7 of 31
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενεᾶς
generation
G1074
γενεᾶς
generation
Strong's:
G1074
Word #:
11 of 31
a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)
ταύτης
G3778
ταύτης
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
12 of 31
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτούς
them
G846
αὐτούς
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
15 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
16 of 31
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἦλθεν
she came
G2064
ἦλθεν
she came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
17 of 31
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
18 of 31
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
of the earth
G1093
γῆς
of the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
22 of 31
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
27 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πλεῖον
a greater than
G4119
πλεῖον
a greater than
Strong's:
G4119
Word #:
29 of 31
more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion
Cross References
2 Chronicles 9:1And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.Romans 2:27And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
Historical Context
The Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon became legendary in Jewish tradition. She represented the ultimate Gentile seeker—royalty from earth's end pursuing wisdom. Jesus's audience would recognize the implicit rebuke: Gentile nobility traveled months to hear Solomon, yet they, possessing temple and Torah, reject God's ultimate revelation standing before them.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Queen of Sheba's costly journey expose our casual approach to spiritual truth?
- In what ways does Jesus claim to exceed Solomon—what does 'greater than Solomon' encompass?
- How will unfulfilled privilege increase condemnation at judgment—what responsibility accompanies exposure to Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here (βασίλισσα νότου ἐγερθήσεται...καὶ κατακρινεῖ αὐτούς...ἰδοὺ πλεῖον Σολομῶντος ὧδε)—Jesus invokes the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-13) as eschatological witness against his contemporaries. She will witness against Jewish unbelief at final judgment. Her condemnation derives from comparative advantage: she traveled vast distances for Solomon's wisdom, while they reject a greater than Solomon despite his presence.
The neuter pleion (greater thing) suggests Jesus refers not merely to his person but the entire Christ-event—his teaching, miracles, redemptive work surpass Solomon's glory. The queen's expensive journey contrasts with Israel's casual dismissal of divine wisdom incarnate.