Matthew 12:41

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.

a. NLT: “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.

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

c. YLT: Men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, for they reformed at the proclamation of Jonah, and lo, a greater than Jonah here!

d. Amplified Bible Classic: The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, Someone more and greater than Jonah is here!

e. Worrell Translation: The men of Nineveh will rise up in judgment with this generation, and will condemn it; because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.

1. “The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it…”

a. The men [Strong: 435 * aner an'-ayr a primary word (compare 444); a man (properly as an individual male):--fellow, husband, man, sir.]

b. of Nineveh [Strong: 3536 * Nineuites nin-yoo-ee'-tace from 3535; a Ninevite, i.e. inhabitant of Nineveh:--of Nineve, Ninevite.]

c. shall rise [Strong: 450 * anistemi an-is'-tay-mee from 303 and 2476; to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive):--arise, lift up, raise up (again), rise (again), stand up(-right).]

d. in [Strong: 1722 * en en 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 1519 and 1537); "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.]

e. judgment [Strong: 2920 * krisis kree'-sis decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law):--accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.]

f. with [Strong: 3326 * meta met-ah' 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 575 or 1537 and 1519 or 4314; less intimate than 1722 and less close than 4862):--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.]

g. this [Strong: 5026 * taute tow'-tay, and tauten tow'-tane, and tautes tow'-tace dative case, accusative case and genitive case respectively of the feminine singular of 3778; (towards or of) this:--her, + hereof, it, that, + thereby, the (same), this (same).]

h. generation [Strong: 1074 * genea ghen-eh-ah' from (a presumed derivative of) 1085; a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons):--age, generation, nation, time.]

i. and [Strong: 2532 * kai kahee 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.]

j. shall condemn [Strong: 2632 * katakrino kat-ak-ree'-no from 2596 and 2919; to judge against, i.e. sentence:--condemn, damn.]

k. it [Strong: 846 * autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) 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.]

1). The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation because they became believers and believers will judge the world.

a). 1 Corinthians 6:1-3 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life?

2. “…because they repented at the preaching of Jonas…”

a. because [Strong: 3754 * hoti hot'-ee neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.]

b. they repented  [Strong: 3340 * metanoeo met-an-o-eh'-o from 3326 and 3539; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction):--repent.]

c. at [Strong: 1519 * eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

d. the [Strong: 3588 * ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

e. preaching [Strong: 2782 *  kerugma kay'-roog-mah from 2784; a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself):--preaching.]

f. of Jonas [Strong: 2495 * Ionas ee-o-nas' of Hebrew origin (3124); Jonas (i.e. Jonah), the name of two Israelites:--Jonas.]

1). Jonah 3:1-10 And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,

3:2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

3:3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days journey.

3:4 And Jonah began to enter the city after a days journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

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.

3:6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

3:7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the kings and his nobles, saying, herd not clock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:

3:8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.

3:9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

3:10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

2). There is no doubt we will see the people of Nineveh in heaven (We will also see the Queen of the South, the Queen of Sheba, Matthew 12:42), and that they will participate in judgment with us against the world.

3. “…and, behold a greater than Jonas is here.”

a. and [Strong: 2532 * kai kahee 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.]

b. behold [Strong: 2400 * idou id-oo' second person singular imperative middle voice of 1492; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.]

c. [a] greater [than] [Strong: 4119 * pleion pli-own, or neuter pleion pli'-on, or pleon pleh'-on comparative of 4183; 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.]

d. Jonas [Strong: 2495 * Ionas ee-o-nas' of Hebrew origin (3124); Jonas (i.e. Jonah), the name of two Israelites:--Jonas.]

e. is here [Strong: 5602 * hode ho'-deh from an adverb form of 3592; in this same spot, i.e. here or hither:--here, hither, (in) this place, there.]

1). There is no question that Jesus was referring to himself in this passage. But more is being said here than meets the eye. Jesus said of John the Baptist that he was more than a prophet, indeed the greatest born of woman.

a). Matthew 11:7-11 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out in the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

11:8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.

11:9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

11:11 Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

b). Jesus was saying that John was not only the greatest prophet but also the greatest born of a woman. Why? Because he was the forerunner of the Messiah! It was his calling. But Jesus does not stop there, he goes on to say “…that he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Jesus is saying that the least of those in the kingdom of heaven, the New Testament age is greater than John.

2). If he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than the greatest prophet, the greatest born of woman, where are we at? Most New Testament believers do not realize the greatness of their ministry. They go through life believing they are just sinners saved by grace. Such belief is a slap in the face of God. Yes it is true that no one has reached sinless perfection on this earth, but as we grow in Christ we should sin less and less. Positionally in Christ we are greater than the greatest Old Testament prophet, not because of us but because of our ministry and position in Christ. The ministry of the New Testament believer is greater that of the greatest Old Testament prophet. Because of that New Covenant truth we are greater than Jonas, yes,  a greater than Jonas is here! Hallelujah!

a). Colossians 1:26, 27  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

b). Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, and of his bones.

c). When we are living our lives to the glory of God, and being transformed into his image…a greater than Jonas is here!

3). Tradition says that Jonah is buried in ancient Nineveh in modern day northern Iraq near the modern city of Mosul. If this tradition is true it means that Jonah stayed and ministered to the people of Nineveh after their conversion, which would be completely appropriate and necessary.

a). “The sanctuary of Jama Naballa Jonas is another place that tradition says is Jonah's grave, near the city of Mosul (today in Iraq), near the ancient remnants of Nineveh. On one of the two most prominent mounds of Nineveh ruins, rises the Mosque of the Prophet Yunus (previously a Nestorian-Assyrian Church). Jonah is believed to be buried here, where King Esarhaddon had once built a palace. It is one of the most important mosques in Mosul and one of the few historic mosques that are found on the east side of the city.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonah