Matthew 12:41
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Original Language Analysis
ἀναστήσονται
shall rise
G450
ἀναστήσονται
shall rise
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
judgment
G2920
κρίσει
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
because
G3754
ὅτι
because
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
Cross References
Matthew 12:42The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.Hebrews 11:7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.Jeremiah 3:11And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.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?Matthew 12:6But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.John 3:31He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.Jonah 1:2Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.Isaiah 54:17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.Matthew 23:36Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.Matthew 16:4A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Historical Context
Spoken during Jesus's Galilean ministry (AD 28-30) after Pharisees demanded a sign. Nineveh's repentance under Jonah (c. 760 BC) was legendary in Jewish tradition, making the contrast with first-century Israel's hardness even more damning.
Questions for Reflection
- If pagan Ninevites repented at lesser revelation, what does your response to Christ's full gospel reveal about your heart?
- How does Jesus's 'greater than Jonah' claim challenge modern attempts to reduce him to merely a good teacher or prophet?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment (οἱ ἄνδρες Νινευῖται, hoi andres Nineuītai)—Jesus invokes the pagan sailors who repented at Jonah's reluctant preaching (Jonah 3). The verb metanoeō (μετανοέω, 'they repented') means fundamental reorientation, not mere regret.
A greater than Jonas is here (πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε, pleion Iōna hōde)—The Greek pleion is neuter, meaning 'something greater,' emphasizing not just personal superiority but the superiority of Christ's mission, message, and authority. Jonah brought temporal deliverance; Christ brings eternal salvation. The Ninevites' response to a minor prophet condemns Israel's rejection of the Messiah himself.