Luke 11:32
The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Original Language Analysis
ἀναστήσονται
shall rise up
G450
ἀναστήσονται
shall rise up
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
3 of 24
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κρίσει
the judgment
G2920
κρίσει
the judgment
Strong's:
G2920
Word #:
6 of 24
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 24
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενεᾶς
generation
G1074
γενεᾶς
generation
Strong's:
G1074
Word #:
9 of 24
a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)
ταύτης
G3778
ταύτης
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
10 of 24
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτήν·
it
G846
αὐτήν·
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 24
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 #:
14 of 24
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
μετενόησαν
they repented
G3340
μετενόησαν
they repented
Strong's:
G3340
Word #:
15 of 24
to think differently or afterwards, i.e., reconsider (morally, feel compunction)
εἰς
at
G1519
εἰς
at
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
16 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κήρυγμα
the preaching
G2782
κήρυγμα
the preaching
Strong's:
G2782
Word #:
18 of 24
a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 24
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 #:
22 of 24
more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion
Historical Context
Nineveh epitomized Gentile wickedness in Jewish consciousness—the empire that destroyed the Northern Kingdom (722 BC). Yet Jonah's account portrays immediate, city-wide repentance, including the king. Jesus's use of Nineveh as a repentance model while condemning Jewish leaders would shock his audience, anticipating the gospel's mixed reception.
Questions for Reflection
- How does comparing Jesus's generation unfavorably to Nineveh expose the danger of religious privilege breeding spiritual complacency?
- What does genuine repentance look like in contrast to mere religious activity?
- How does greater revelation (Jesus vs. Jonah) increase both opportunity and accountability?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here (μετενόησαν εἰς τὸ κήρυγμα Ἰωνᾶ, καὶ ἰδοὺ πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε)—Jesus's second witness comes from Nineveh, the notoriously wicked Assyrian capital that repented at Jonah's preaching (Jonah 3:5-10). These Gentile pagans will condemn Israel's impenitence. The aorist metanoeō (repented) indicates decisive turning, despite Jonah being a reluctant prophet with a mere forty-word sermon.
A greater than Jonas—again the neuter pleion emphasizes qualitative superiority. Jonah was disobedient, grudging, announced only judgment; Jesus willingly came, graciously offered salvation, embodied God's love. Yet Nineveh's spontaneous repentance contrasts with Israel's stubborn resistance.