Bible Commentary

Matthew 12:41

The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 12:41

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Verbally identical with . 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. ), but because the men in the city would naturally take the lead, and not the women. So also in the LXX.

of (contrast , 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 ().

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 (, sqq.

). Observe that this was without miracles or signs being wrought. At ( εἰς). Marking the direction of their faith (). And, behold, a greater than—"Gr. more than"—Jonas is here (, note).

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