Matthew 12:41 - Exposition

Verbally identical with Luke 11:32 . The men of Nineveh ( ἄνδρες νινευῖται ) . No article, because the evangelist desired to call attention to the character of the Ninevites. The men of Nineveh, heathen though they were, shall do this. ἄνδρες (not ἄνθρωποι ); hardly because of the approaching mention of a woman (cf. Luke 11:31 ), but because the men in the city would naturally take the lead, and not the women. So also in the LXX . of Jonah 3:5 (contrast Jonah 3:7 , of the population generally). Shall rise in judgment ; shall stand up in the judgment (Revised Version); i.e. shall stand up as witnesses in the final judgment ( Luke 10:14 ). With this generation ; i.e. present before the judgment-seat with them, for what purpose is shown by the following words (cf. Winer, § 47, h ). And shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas ( Jonah 3:5 , sqq. ) . Observe that this was without miracles or signs being wrought. At ( εἰς ) . Marking the direction of their faith ( Romans 4:20 ). And, behold , a greater than —"Gr. more than "— Jonas is here ( Jonah 3:6 , note).