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.

The men {G435} of Nineve {G3535} shall rise up {G450} in {G1722} the judgment {G2920} with {G3326} this {G5026} generation {G1074}, and {G2532} shall condemn {G2632} it {G846}: for {G3754} they repented {G3340} at {G1519} the preaching {G2782} of Jonas {G2495}; and {G2532}, behold {G2400}, a greater than {G4119} Jonas {G2495} is here {G5602}.

The people of Ninveh will stand up at the Judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they turned to God from their sins when Yonah preached, and what is here now is greater than Yonah.

The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.

The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.

Luke 11:32 presents a stern warning from Jesus to the generation that rejected Him, highlighting their spiritual blindness and stubbornness by contrasting them with the repentant people of Nineveh.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' broader discourse following a demand from some in the crowd for a "sign from heaven." Jesus had just stated that no sign would be given to that wicked generation except the sign of Jonas the prophet (Luke 11:29). He then immediately draws parallels to the Queen of the South (Luke 11:31) and the men of Nineveh, both of whom responded positively to lesser light than what was present in Jesus.

The historical and cultural context underscores the irony: the Jewish people, who had the Law and the Prophets, were rejecting their Messiah, while Gentiles (like the Ninevites) had repented at the word of a single prophet, Jonah.

Key Themes

  • Repentance and Responsiveness: The verse sharply contrasts the immediate and widespread repentance of the men of Nineveh at Jonah's preaching with the hardened hearts of Jesus' contemporaries. Nineveh's quick response to God's warning through Jonah serves as a powerful indictment.
  • The Authority of Jesus: The phrase "a greater than Jonas is here" (Greek: pleion Iōna, meaning "more than Jonah") powerfully asserts Jesus' supreme authority and divine identity. He is not merely a prophet, but the Son of God, the ultimate revelation of God's truth. His presence and teaching far surpassed any prophet before Him, including Jonah.
  • Divine Judgment and Accountability: Jesus declares that the men of Nineveh "shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it." This emphasizes the severe accountability of those who have received abundant light and clear revelation (Jesus Himself) but have chosen to reject it. Their rejection of the Son of God will lead to a more severe condemnation than those who repented with less understanding. This foreshadows the coming final judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "condemn" is katakrinō (κατακρινῶ), which means to pass sentence against, to judge worthy of punishment. This highlights the active role the Ninevites will play in the judgment, not as judges themselves, but as living testimonies against the impenitent generation.

Practical Application

Luke 11:32 serves as a timeless call to humility and repentance. It challenges us to consider:

  • Our Response to God's Word: Are we open to hearing and obeying God's truth, even when it challenges our preconceived notions or comfortable lives? The Ninevites model a humble and immediate response to divine warning.
  • Recognizing Jesus' Authority: We have "a greater than Jonas" in Jesus Christ. His teachings, life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate revelation of God. Our eternal destiny hinges on how we respond to Him.
  • The Seriousness of Spiritual Opportunity: Those who have received more light (knowledge of Christ) bear a greater responsibility. This verse reminds us that ignoring or rejecting God's clear revelation through Jesus will lead to serious consequences in the day of judgment. It encourages us to embrace the call to repentance that Jesus Himself proclaimed.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hebrews 7:26

    For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

  • Jonah 3:5

    ¶ So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

  • Jonah 4:4

    Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?

  • Jonah 4:9

    And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, [even] unto death.

  • Luke 11:31

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

  • Jonah 1:2

    Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

  • Jonah 1:3

    But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

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