King James Version

What Does Matthew 12:42 Mean?

Matthew 12:42 in the King James Version says “The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the u... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Matthew 12:42 · KJV


Context

40

For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

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.

42

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.

43

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

44

Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The queen of the south (βασίλισσα νότου, basilissa notou)—The Queen of Sheba traveled over 1,200 miles to hear Solomon's wisdom (1 Kings 10). Jesus emphasizes her extraordinary effort: from the uttermost parts of the earth (ἐκ τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς, ek tōn peratōn tēs gēs), literally 'from the ends/extremities of the earth.'

A greater than Solomon is here (πλεῖον Σολομῶνος ὧδε, pleion Solomōnos hōde)—Solomon's wisdom was legendary (1 Kings 4:29-34), yet Christ is Wisdom incarnate (1 Cor 1:30). The queen sought wisdom; Israel rejected it when it stood before them in flesh. Her initiative condemns their apathy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Queen of Sheba's visit (c. 950 BC) exemplified Gentile responsiveness to divine wisdom. Jesus's double witness—Nineveh and Sheba—established that even pagans would judge Israel's unbelief, a devastating rebuke to Jewish privilege and presumption.

Reflection Questions

  1. What effort are you willing to expend to gain Christ's wisdom compared to the queen's 1,200-mile journey?
  2. How does Christ's claim to be greater than Solomon's wisdom intersect with Colossians 2:3, that in him are 'all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge'?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
βασίλισσα1 of 29

The queen

G938

a queen

νότου2 of 29

of the south

G3558

the south(-west) wind; by extension, the southern quarter itself

ἐγερθήσεται3 of 29

shall rise up

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

ἐν4 of 29

in

G1722

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

τῇ5 of 29
G3588

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

κρίσει6 of 29

the judgment

G2920

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

μετὰ7 of 29

with

G3326

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

τῆς8 of 29
G3588

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

γενεᾶς9 of 29

generation

G1074

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

ταύτης10 of 29
G3778

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

καὶ11 of 29

and

G2532

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

κατακρινεῖ12 of 29

shall condemn

G2632

to judge against, i.e., sentence

αὐτήν,13 of 29

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 29

for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἦλθεν15 of 29

she came

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἐκ16 of 29

from

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τῶν17 of 29
G3588

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

περάτων18 of 29

the uttermost parts

G4009

an extremity

τῆς19 of 29
G3588

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

γῆς20 of 29

of the earth

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

ἀκοῦσαι21 of 29

to hear

G191

to hear (in various senses)

τὴν22 of 29
G3588

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

σοφίαν23 of 29

the wisdom

G4678

wisdom (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual)

Σολομῶντος24 of 29

Solomon

G4672

solomon (i.e., shelomoh), the son of david

καὶ25 of 29

and

G2532

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

ἰδού,26 of 29

behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

πλεῖον27 of 29

a greater than

G4119

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

Σολομῶντος28 of 29

Solomon

G4672

solomon (i.e., shelomoh), the son of david

ὧδε29 of 29

is here

G5602

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 12:42 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 Matthew 12:42 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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