Matthew 12:42
The 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.
Original Language Analysis
νότου
of the south
G3558
νότου
of the south
Strong's:
G3558
Word #:
2 of 29
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 29
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 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κρίσει
the judgment
G2920
κρίσει
the judgment
Strong's:
G2920
Word #:
6 of 29
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 29
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 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γενεᾶς
generation
G1074
γενεᾶς
generation
Strong's:
G1074
Word #:
9 of 29
a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)
ταύτης
G3778
ταύτης
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
10 of 29
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 29
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 29
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 29
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἦλθεν
she came
G2064
ἦλθεν
she came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
15 of 29
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
16 of 29
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 #:
17 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
of the earth
G1093
γῆς
of the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
20 of 29
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 #:
22 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 29
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 #:
27 of 29
more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion
Cross References
Matthew 17:5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.John 1:14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.Isaiah 7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Matthew 3:17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.John 1:18No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.1 Kings 5:12And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.1 Kings 10:24And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.1 Kings 3:9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?1 Kings 3:12Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.1 Kings 4:29And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
Historical Context
The Queen of Sheba's visit (c. 950 BC) exemplified Gentile responsiveness to divine wisdom. Jesus's double witness—Nineveh and Sheba—established that even pagans would judge Israel's unbelief, a devastating rebuke to Jewish privilege and presumption.
Questions for Reflection
- What effort are you willing to expend to gain Christ's wisdom compared to the queen's 1,200-mile journey?
- How does Christ's claim to be greater than Solomon's wisdom intersect with Colossians 2:3, that in him are 'all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The queen of the south (βασίλισσα νότου, basilissa notou)—The Queen of Sheba traveled over 1,200 miles to hear Solomon's wisdom (1 Kings 10). Jesus emphasizes her extraordinary effort: from the uttermost parts of the earth (ἐκ τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς, ek tōn peratōn tēs gēs), literally 'from the ends/extremities of the earth.'
A greater than Solomon is here (πλεῖον Σολομῶνος ὧδε, pleion Solomōnos hōde)—Solomon's wisdom was legendary (1 Kings 4:29-34), yet Christ is Wisdom incarnate (1 Cor 1:30). The queen sought wisdom; Israel rejected it when it stood before them in flesh. Her initiative condemns their apathy.