Bible Strands
Matthew 12:42
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the unbelieving generation of his day, using historical examples to confront their spiritual blindness. He speaks this warning immediately after condemning the Pharisees' demand for a sign and before describing the return of an unclean spirit.
The words — ἐγερθήσεται (egerthēsetai) = will rise up; κρίσει (krisei) = judgment. The text literally places the Queen of the South at the eschatological tribunal alongside the current generation.
The thread — The narrative echoes 1 Kings 10:1 and 2 Chronicles 9:1 where the queen travels to test Solomon's wisdom. Luke 11:31 records the identical saying, while Matthew 12:41 pairs this example with the men of Nineveh.
Why it lands — The text demands a direct comparison between a distant pagan ruler's responsive faith and the present generation's refusal to acknowledge a present greater authority. It asks the reader to recognize that proximity to wisdom without response guarantees condemnation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 10:1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.
- 2 Chronicles 9:1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon, she came to test him with difficult questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind.
- Luke 11:31 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.
- Hebrews 1:2 But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.
- Matthew 17:5 While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
- John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- 1 Kings 5:12 And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.
- 1 Kings 10:24 The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.
- Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
- Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.