Matthew 12:42

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

Last state worse than first. All that was implied in our Lord's mode of working is here explicitly enounced. The miracles were only subordinately evidences of his Divine commission; primarily they were deeds of mercy. But to heal every one would have been to violate the constitution of man's nature, and upset the equilibrium required for the harmonious co-operation of God and man. Those only who had faith were healed, and this secured that their character was purified and aided, not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:38-45

The sign-seekers. After Jesus had denounced the blasphemy of the scribes and Pharisees, and threatened them with the severity of the judgment, certain of their number demanded of him a sign to sustain his asserted authority. In his reply we notice— I. THAT THE SINNERS ARE REBUKED IN MERCY . 1 . They sought a sign , viz. , from heaven. 2 . But this sign was not for that generation. 3 . He gave them the sign from the earth. (a) As to the fact. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:42

Almost verbally identical with Luke 11:31 . The queen of the south ( βασίλισσα νότου , anarthrous; Luke 11:41 , note). The south here doubtless represents part of Arabia Felix (see Dr. Lumby, on 1 Kings 10:1 ). Shall rise up . Does ἐγερθήσεται here imply more effort than ἀναστήσονται ( Luke 11:41 )? This would at least be consistent with the energy which the mention of the Queen of Sheba always suggests . In the judgment with this generation, and shall... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:38-42

We would see a sign from thee - See Luke 11:16, Luke 11:29-32. A “sign” commonly signifies a miracle - that is, a sign that God was with the person or had sent him. Compare the notes at Isaiah 7:11. Luke adds that this was done “tempting him;” that is, trying him, doubting if he had the power to do it. If these persons had been present with him for any considerable time, they had already seen sufficient proofs that he was what he claimed to be. They might have been, however, those who had... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:42

Matthew 12:42. The queen of the south, &c. Of this queen, see note on 1 Kings 10:1. She came from the uttermost parts of the earth That part of Arabia from which she came was the uttermost part of the earth that way, being bounded by the sea. A greater than Solomon is here “Our Lord speaks of himself in this sublime language with the utmost reason, and with perfect modesty and decorum. The humble form of his appearance, and his necessary reserve in declaring himself the Messiah in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:22-45

52. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22-45; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 11:14-36)On one occasion when Jesus cast out demons, the Pharisees accused him of doing it by the power of Satan, the prince of demons (Matthew 12:22-24; Luke 11:14-16). Jesus replied that if the prince of demons used his own power to cast out demons, he would be creating civil war in his own kingdom. He would be destroying himself. The only way a strong man can be defeated is if a stronger man overpowers him. In casting out... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:42

The queen = A queen. rise up. In resurrection. Not the same word as "rise" in Matthew 12:41 . she came. See 1 Kings 10:1 , &c. from = Out of read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:42

The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.The superior faith of the Queen of the South is seen in that she came upon a paucity of evidence, responding to rumor, or hearsay.The ends of the earth, according to Barnes, referred to "the most distant parts of the habitable world then known."[13] Christ as "greater than Solomon" was... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 12:41-42

Matthew 12:41-42. The men of Nineveh, &c.— The Ninevites being judged at the same time with the men of that generation, and their behaviour being compared together, should make the guilt of the latter appear in its true colours, and condemn them: for though they were idolaters, they repented at the preaching of Jonah, a stranger, a poor person, and one who continued among them only three days, and wrought no miracle among them to make them believe him: but the men of that generation, though... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:42

42. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, &c.—The queen of Sheba (a tract in Arabia, near the shores of the Red Sea) came from a remote country, "south" of Judea, to hear the wisdom of a mere man, though a gifted one, and was transported with wonder at what she saw and heard ( :-). They, when a Greater than Solomon had come to them, despised and rejected, slighted and slandered Him. read more

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