Luke 11:31

Luke 11:31, in plain English

Jesus says the ancient Queen of Sheba will stand up in judgment against this generation. She traveled across the world to hear Solomon's wisdom -- and Someone far greater than Solomon is standing right here, being ignored.

Why it's here

The Queen of Sheba went to extraordinary lengths to seek wisdom. Jesus' contemporaries have the ultimate wisdom right in their midst and can't be bothered to listen.

Who's speaking

Jesus uses a powerful historical example to expose how inexcusable the crowd's unbelief really is.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus is making it personal: a foreign queen will judge you because she recognized wisdom when she heard it. You have more than she ever did, and you're walking away.

The scholarly reading

The Queen of Sheba (basilissa notou, 'Queen of the South') traveled great distances to hear Solomon's wisdom (1 Kings 10:1-13). She will condemn (katakrinei) this generation because they have someone greater (pleion) than Solomon present and still refuse to listen.

Language and setting

The argument from a Gentile queen who sought wisdom despite enormous obstacles shames Jesus' contemporaries who have wisdom incarnate among them yet demand further proof.

Voice

Jesus invokes the Queen of Sheba as a witness who will rise in judgment against His unbelieving generation.

Significance

Jesus escalates His warning by calling historical witnesses against this generation. A pagan queen traveled from the ends of the earth for wisdom, while they reject Wisdom Himself standing before them.

29As the crowds were increasing, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.

30For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation.

31The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

32The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.

33No one lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or under a basket. Instead, he sets it on a stand, so those who enter can see the light.

Read all of Luke 11 — The disciples ask for a prayer, and Jesus gives them words that have echoed for two thousand years. Then he warns against empty religion.