Matthew 12 42

Matthew 12:42 kjv

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.

Matthew 12:42 nkjv

The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

Matthew 12:42 niv

The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

Matthew 12:42 esv

The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

Matthew 12:42 nlt

The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here ? but you refuse to listen.

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 42 Meaning

This verse declares that the Queen of the South, a Gentile queen who journeyed from afar to hear King Solomon's wisdom, will stand in judgment alongside "this generation" of Jesus' time and condemn it. This condemnation arises because, despite her immense effort to seek human wisdom, "this generation" rejects Jesus, who is infinitely greater than Solomon and the ultimate embodiment of divine wisdom, right in their midst.

Matthew 12 42 Context

Matthew 12:42 forms part of a series of confrontations between Jesus and the religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees, regarding His authority, identity, and teaching. Preceding this verse, Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath (Mt 12:9-13), provoking a plot by the Pharisees to destroy Him (Mt 12:14). They then accuse Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul (Mt 12:22-24). In response, Jesus refutes their baseless accusations and declares that their blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is unforgivable (Mt 12:31-32). They then demand a "sign from Him" (Mt 12:38), to which Jesus famously refers to "the sign of Jonah" (Mt 12:39-41), foreshadowing His death and resurrection. Verse 42 immediately follows the Sign of Jonah, presenting another stark contrast. Like the men of Nineveh who repented at Jonah's preaching, the Queen of the South demonstrates earnest spiritual seeking that shames Jesus' contemporary, stubborn, and unbelieving generation.

Matthew 12 42 Word analysis

• The Queen of the South (βασίλισσα Νότου - Basílissa Nótou): Refers to the historical Queen of Sheba (1 Kgs 10), who ruled a prosperous kingdom likely in modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia. She was a Gentile, a pagan monarch from a distant land, representing someone far removed from God's chosen people yet demonstrating remarkable spiritual curiosity and diligence.
• will rise up (ἀναστήσονται - anastēsontai): A future tense verb implying participation in the ultimate divine judgment. It signifies standing as a witness or accuser.
• at the judgment (ἐν τῇ κρίσει - en tē krísei): "Judgment" (krisis) signifies a legal proceeding, a divine court where accountability is assessed. It is a time of discernment and decision, leading to condemnation or vindication. This is the great and final day of accountability before God.
• with this generation (μετὰ τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης - meta tēs geneas taútēs): "This generation" refers specifically to the contemporary Jewish people of Jesus' era, particularly their religious leaders who resisted and rejected Him despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His authoritative teaching. It emphasizes their collective responsibility and spiritual hardness.
• and condemn it (κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτήν - katakrinoûsin autēn): The Queen's actions will serve as damning testimony against "this generation." Her earnest, costly, and diligent pursuit of wisdom, despite her Gentile status and geographical distance, will highlight their lack of desire for divine truth, their spiritual blindness, and their willful rejection of God's direct revelation in Christ.
• for she came (ὅτι ἦλθεν - hoti ēlthen): Explains the reason for her condemnatory witness. Her actions are the basis for the comparison.
• from the ends of the earth (ἐκ τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς - ek tōn perátōn tēs gēs): A hyperbole signifying an immense distance, great effort, sacrifice, and determination. It underscores her extraordinary commitment to seeking truth and wisdom, regardless of personal cost or societal expectations.
• to hear the wisdom of Solomon (ἀκοῦσαι τὴν σοφίαν Σολομῶνος - akousai tēn sophían Solomōnos): King Solomon was famed throughout the ancient world for his divinely granted wisdom (1 Kgs 4:29-34). The Queen traveled purely to gain understanding and insight from him, showing humility and a hunger for knowledge beyond her own kingdom's.
• and behold (καὶ ἰδού - kai idoú): An interjection (Greek "idou") calling attention, like "Pay attention!" or "Look!" It highlights the dramatic significance of what follows.
• something greater than Solomon is here (πλεῖον Σολομῶνος ὧδε - pleîon Solomōnos hōde): "Greater" (pleîon) denotes superior in magnitude, importance, divine authority, and inherent being. Jesus asserts His own supremacy over Solomon, not just in wisdom, but in His very person and mission. He is the ultimate, divine embodiment of wisdom, exceeding all earthly kings, prophets, and their accomplishments. This statement is a direct claim of His divinity.

Matthew 12 42 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of the Queen of Sheba and "this generation" reveals the universal nature of spiritual accountability. God judges not merely by what people possess (such as privileged ancestry or religious traditions) but by how they respond to the light and truth they are given. The Queen's open-hearted, diligent search for wisdom, though partial, made her more receptive than those who, having abundant divine revelation, willfully closed their eyes to Christ. This speaks to the principle that sincere seeking, regardless of its starting point, is honored by God, while a hardened heart, regardless of privilege, faces condemnation. Jesus, being greater than Solomon, the Temple, and Jonah, underscores that all ultimate truth, authority, and salvation are found exclusively in Him.

Matthew 12 42 Commentary

Jesus, as the divine wisdom incarnate, uses the diligent journey of the pagan Queen of Sheba as a condemning example for His own generation. The Queen undertook an arduous and expensive pilgrimage across vast distances simply to learn from Solomon's divinely bestowed wisdom. Her extraordinary effort highlights her genuine hunger for truth. In stark contrast, Jesus' contemporary Jewish generation, despite having the ultimate manifestation of divine wisdom—the Son of God Himself—walking among them, rejected Him. They demanded further signs while ignoring the profound miracles and teachings already displayed, choosing pride and skepticism over humble faith. This statement underscores a profound spiritual irony: a distant Gentile recognized divine truth while many within the covenant nation remained blind. The Queen's fervent seeking stands as a powerful testimony that will indict those who had infinitely more light but chose to remain in darkness. This passage serves as a severe warning about accountability, the consequences of spiritual dullness, and the tragic results of rejecting God's ultimate revelation.Example: Just as one who travels far for a drop of water condemns those who refuse to drink from a overflowing fountain at their feet.