Matthew 12:42

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

The Queen of the South will stand up at the Judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Shlomo, but what is here now is greater than Shlomo.

Berean Standard Bible:

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 hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

The queen^{G938} of the south^{G3558} shall rise up^{G1453} in^{G1722} the judgment^{G2920} with^{G3326} this^{G5026} generation^{G1074}, and^{G2532} shall condemn^{G2632} it^{G846}: for^{G3754} she came^{G2064} from^{G1537} the uttermost parts^{G4009} of the earth^{G1093} to hear^{G191} the wisdom^{G4678} of Solomon^{G4672}; and^{G2532}, behold^{G2400}, a greater than^{G4119} Solomon^{G4672} is here^{G5602}.

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Commentary for Matthew 12:42

Matthew 12:42 is a verse where Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees and the crowds gathered around him. The historical context of this verse is rooted in the Jewish expectation of a messiah who would be a great king and leader, much like King Solomon, who was renowned for his wisdom. In this verse, Jesus references the Queen of Sheba, who traveled a great distance to witness Solomon's wisdom firsthand, as recorded in 1 Kings 10:1-13 and 2 Chronicles 9:1-12.

The themes presented in this verse include the concepts of judgment, wisdom, and the recognition of divine authority. Jesus is highlighting the irony that a foreign queen, from what was considered the ends of the earth, was willing to make a long and arduous journey to learn from Solomon, yet the current Jewish leaders and those around Jesus fail to recognize and appreciate the wisdom and authority of "a greater than Solomon" in their very presence.

The phrase "a greater than Solomon is here" speaks to Jesus' self-identification as superior to Solomon, not only in wisdom but also in the significance of his mission and the divine revelation he brings. This declaration challenges the listeners to reconsider their skepticism and resistance towards Jesus, suggesting that their failure to acknowledge him will result in their condemnation when compared to the Queen of Sheba's positive response to Solomon's wisdom.

In essence, Matthew 12:42 serves as a warning to Jesus' contemporaries about the consequences of their unbelief and as a claim to his own divine authority and wisdom, which he presents as surpassing that of the revered King Solomon. It also underscores the inclusive nature of Jesus' ministry, extending beyond the borders of Israel, and foreshadows the judgment that will come to those who reject the Messiah despite the evidence of his divine commission.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G938
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βασίλισσα
   Transliteration: basílissa
   Pronunciation: bas-il'-is-sah
   Description: feminine from βασιλεύω; a queen:--queen.
   
2. Strong's Number: G3558
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: νότος
   Transliteration: nótos
   Pronunciation: not'-os
   Description: of uncertain affinity; the south(-west) wind; by extension, the southern quarter itself:--south (wind).
   
3. Strong's Number: G1453
   There are 135 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐγείρω
   Transliteration: egeírō
   Pronunciation: eg-i'-ro
   Description: probably akin to the base of ἀγορά (through the idea of collecting one's faculties); to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence):--awake, lift (up), raise (again, up), rear up, (a-)rise (again, up), stand, take up.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2920
   There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κρίσις
   Transliteration: krísis
   Pronunciation: kree'-sis
   Description:
   
6. Strong's Number: G3326
   There are 445 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μετά
   Transliteration: metá
   Pronunciation: met-ah'
   Description: a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between ἀπό or ἐκ and εἰς or πρός; less intimate than ἐν and less close than σύν):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.
   
7. Strong's Number: G5026
   There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ταύτῃ
   Transliteration: taútēi
   Pronunciation: tow'-tace
   Description: dative case, accusative case and genitive case respectively of the feminine singular of οὗτος; (towards or of) this:--her, + hereof, it, that, + thereby, the (same), this (same).
   
8. Strong's Number: G1074
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γενεά
   Transliteration: geneá
   Pronunciation: ghen-eh-ah'
   Description: from (a presumed derivative of) γένος; a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons):--age, generation, nation, time.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2632
    There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κατακρίνω
    Transliteration: katakrínō
    Pronunciation: kat-ak-ree'-no
    Description: from κατά and κρίνω; to judge against, i.e. sentence:--condemn, damn.
    
11. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3754
    There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅτι
    Transliteration: hóti
    Pronunciation: hot'-ee
    Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
    
13. Strong's Number: G2064
    There are 604 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔρχομαι
    Transliteration: érchomai
    Pronunciation: el'-tho
    Description: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) , or (active) , which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively):--accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
    
14. Strong's Number: G1537
    There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐκ
    Transliteration: ek
    Pronunciation: ex
    Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
    
15. Strong's Number: G4009
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πέρας
    Transliteration: péras
    Pronunciation: per'-as
    Description: from the same as πέραν; an extremity:--end, ut-(ter-)most participle
    
16. Strong's Number: G1093
    There are 226 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γῆ
    Transliteration: gē
    Pronunciation: ghay
    Description: contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application):--country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.
    
17. Strong's Number: G191
    There are 448 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀκούω
    Transliteration: akoúō
    Pronunciation: ak-oo'-o
    Description: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
    
18. Strong's Number: G4678
    There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σοφία
    Transliteration: sophía
    Pronunciation: sof-ee'-ah
    Description: from σοφός; wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual):--wisdom.
    
19. Strong's Number: G4672
    There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Σολομών
    Transliteration: Solomṓn
    Pronunciation: sol-om-one'
    Description: of Hebrew origin (שְׁלֹמֹה); Solomon (i.e. Shelomoh), the son of David:--Solomon.
    
20. Strong's Number: G2400
    There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἰδού
    Transliteration: idoú
    Pronunciation: id-oo'
    Description: second person singular imperative middle voice of εἴδω; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.
    
21. Strong's Number: G4119
    There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πλείων
    Transliteration: pleíōn
    Pronunciation: pleh'-on
    Description: comparative of πολύς; more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion:--X above, + exceed, more excellent, further, (very) great(-er), long(-er), (very) many, greater (more) part, + yet but.
    
22. Strong's Number: G5602
    There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὧδε
    Transliteration: hōde
    Pronunciation: ho'-deh
    Description: from an adverb form of ὅδε; in this same spot, i.e. here or hither:--here, hither, (in) this place, there.