King James Version

What Does Luke 11:32 Mean?

Luke 11:32 in the King James Version says “The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the pre...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Luke 11:32 · KJV

Context

30

For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.

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.

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.

33

No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

34

The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.

Read Luke 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (μετενόησαν εἰς τὸ κήρυγμα Ἰωνᾶ, καὶ ἰδοὺ πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε)—Jesus's second witness comes from Nineveh, the notoriously wicked Assyrian capital that repented at Jonah's preaching (Jonah 3:5-10). These Gentile pagans will condemn Israel's impenitence. The aorist metanoeō (repented) indicates decisive turning, despite Jonah being a reluctant prophet with a mere forty-word sermon.

A greater than Jonas—again the neuter pleion emphasizes qualitative superiority. Jonah was disobedient, grudging, announced only judgment; Jesus willingly came, graciously offered salvation, embodied God's love. Yet Nineveh's spontaneous repentance contrasts with Israel's stubborn resistance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nineveh epitomized Gentile wickedness in Jewish consciousness—the empire that destroyed the Northern Kingdom (722 BC). Yet Jonah's account portrays immediate, city-wide repentance, including the king. Jesus's use of Nineveh as a repentance model while condemning Jewish leaders would shock his audience, anticipating the gospel's mixed reception.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does comparing Jesus's generation unfavorably to Nineveh expose the danger of religious privilege breeding spiritual complacency?
  2. What does genuine repentance look like in contrast to mere religious activity?
  3. How does greater revelation (Jesus vs. Jonah) increase both opportunity and accountability?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
ἄνδρες1 of 24

“The men”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

Νινευῒ2 of 24

“of Nineve”

G3535

ninevi (i.e., nineveh), the capital of assyria

ἀναστήσονται3 of 24

“shall rise up”

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

ἐν4 of 24

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ5 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κρίσει6 of 24

“the judgment”

G2920

decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice (especially, divine law)

μετὰ7 of 24

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τῆς8 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γενεᾶς9 of 24

“generation”

G1074

a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons)

ταύτης10 of 24
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

καὶ11 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κατακρινοῦσιν12 of 24

“shall condemn”

G2632

to judge against, i.e., sentence

αὐτήν·13 of 24

“it”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι14 of 24

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

μετενόησαν15 of 24

“they repented”

G3340

to think differently or afterwards, i.e., reconsider (morally, feel compunction)

εἰς16 of 24

“at”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ17 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κήρυγμα18 of 24

“the preaching”

G2782

a proclamation (especially of the gospel; by implication, the gospel itself)

Ἰωνᾶ19 of 24

“Jonas”

G2495

jonas (i.e., jonah), the name of two israelites

καὶ20 of 24

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἰδού,21 of 24

“behold”

G2400

used as imperative lo!

πλεῖον22 of 24

“a greater than”

G4119

more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion

Ἰωνᾶ23 of 24

“Jonas”

G2495

jonas (i.e., jonah), the name of two israelites

ὧδε24 of 24

“is here”

G5602

in this same spot, i.e., here or hither

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 11:32 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 11:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jonah 3:5-4:4Jonah 4:9Luke 11:31Hebrews 7:26Jonah 1:2-3

Places in This Verse

NinevehSettlement · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E30 verses across 8 books
View all places in Luke 11 →

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