Matthew 12:42
New International Version
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

New Living Translation
The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.

English Standard Version
The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

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

Berean Literal Bible
The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this the generation and will 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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here.

New American Standard Bible
The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

NASB 1995
“The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

NASB 1977
The Queen of the South shall rise up with this generation at the judgment and shall condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

Legacy Standard Bible
The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

Amplified Bible
The Queen of the South (Sheba) will stand up [as a witness] at the judgment against this generation, and will condemn it because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon; and now, something greater than Solomon is here.

Christian Standard Bible
The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look—something greater than Solomon is here.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look—something greater than Solomon is here!

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
The Queen of the South will also stand there with you and condemn you. She traveled a long way to hear Solomon's wisdom, and yet here is something much greater than Solomon.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The queen from the south will stand up at the time of judgment with you. She will condemn you, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear Solomon's wisdom. But look, someone greater than Solomon is here!

Good News Translation
On the Judgment Day the Queen of Sheba will stand up and accuse you, because she traveled all the way from her country to listen to King Solomon's wise teaching; and I assure you that there is something here greater than Solomon!

International Standard Version
The queen of the south will stand up and condemn the people living today, because she came from so far away to hear the wisdom of Solomon. But look! Something greater than Solomon is here!"

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

NET Bible
The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon--and now, something greater than Solomon is here!

New Heart English Bible
The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and look, someone greater than Solomon is here.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
The Queen of the south will awake at the Judgement together with the present generation, and will condemn it; because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and mark! there is One greater than Solomon here.

World English Bible
The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, [One] greater than Solomon [is] here!

Berean Literal Bible
The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this the generation and will 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.

Young's Literal Translation
'A 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 lo, a greater than Solomon here!

Smith's Literal Translation
The queen of the South shall be raised up in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it; for she came from the end of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon here.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The queen of the south shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon here.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The Queen of the South shall arise in judgment with this generation, and she shall condemn it. For she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, there is a greater than Solomon here.

New American Bible
At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.

New Revised Standard Version
The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The queen of the south will rise up in judgment with this generation, and find it guilty; for she came from the far ends of the earth that she might hear Solomon’s wisdom, and behold a greater than Solomon is here.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
The queen of The South will arise in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, one greater than Solomon is here.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
The queen of the south shall rise in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it; for she came from the most distant parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

Godbey New Testament
The queen of the south will rise in judgment with this generation, and condemn it: because she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold a greater than Solomon is here.

Haweis New Testament
The queen of the South shall rise up in judgment against the men of this generation, and 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.

Mace New Testament
the queen of the south shall rise up at the day of judgement against this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the remote parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now a greater than Solomon is here.

Weymouth New Testament
The Queen of the south will awake at the Judgement together with the present generation, and will condemn it; because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and mark! there is One greater than Solomon here.

Worrell New Testament
"A queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it; because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

Worsley New Testament
The queen of the South too, shall rise up in the day of judgement against this generation, and 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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sign of Jonah
41The 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. 42The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here. 43When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.…

Cross References
1 Kings 10:1-13
Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. / She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind. / And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for the king to explain. ...

2 Chronicles 9:1-12
Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon, she came to test him with difficult questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind. / And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for him to explain. / When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, ...

Luke 11:31
The 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.

Matthew 12:6
But I tell you that One greater than the temple is here.

Matthew 12:41
The 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.

John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Romans 1:4
and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 1:1-3
On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. / But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. / The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Proverbs 8:11
For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

Proverbs 8:15-16
By me kings reign, and rulers enact just laws; / By me princes rule, and all nobles who govern justly.

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah 11:1-5
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, ...

Isaiah 42:1
“Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

queen.

1 Kings 10:1
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.

2 Chronicles 9:1
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

Luke 11:31
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.

hear.

1 Kings 3:9,12,28
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? …

1 Kings 4:29,34
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore…

1 Kings 5:12
And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.

behold.

Matthew 3:17
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Matthew 17:5
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Jump to Previous
Awake Condemn Decision Ear Earth Ends Generation Greater Hear Judgement Judging Judgment Mark Parts Present Queen Rise Solomon Solomon's Someone Something South Together Uttermost Wisdom
Jump to Next
Awake Condemn Decision Ear Earth Ends Generation Greater Hear Judgement Judging Judgment Mark Parts Present Queen Rise Solomon Solomon's Someone Something South Together Uttermost Wisdom
Matthew 12
1. Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,
3. by scripture,
9. by reason,
13. and by a miracle.
22. He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;
24. and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub,
32. he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.
36. Account shall be made of idle words.
38. He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,
46. and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.














The Queen of the South
This phrase refers to the Queen of Sheba, a historical figure mentioned in the Old Testament. Sheba is believed to be located in present-day Yemen or Ethiopia. The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon is recorded in 1 Kings 10:1-13 and 2 Chronicles 9:1-12. Her journey signifies a quest for wisdom and truth, as she traveled a great distance to hear Solomon's wisdom. In the context of Matthew 12:42, her actions are used to contrast the response of the people of Jesus' time, who had a greater than Solomon among them but failed to recognize Him.

will rise at the judgment
This phrase indicates a future event where the Queen of the South will stand as a witness. The "judgment" refers to the final judgment, a time when all will be held accountable for their actions. The imagery of "rising" suggests resurrection and the idea that past figures will testify against the current generation's unbelief. It underscores the seriousness of rejecting the message of Jesus, who is greater than Solomon.

with this generation
"Generation" here refers to the people living during Jesus' earthly ministry. It is often used in the Gospels to denote those who witnessed Jesus' miracles and teachings but remained unrepentant and skeptical. This phrase highlights the accountability of those who have direct exposure to divine revelation yet choose to ignore it.

and condemn it
The act of condemnation implies a moral and spiritual judgment. The Queen of the South's actions will serve as a rebuke to the generation that rejected Jesus. Her willingness to seek wisdom from Solomon, despite the distance and effort required, stands in stark contrast to the indifference or hostility of those who had Jesus in their midst.

For she came from the ends of the earth
This phrase emphasizes the great effort and determination of the Queen of Sheba. "Ends of the earth" is a hyperbolic expression indicating a far-off land, underscoring her commitment to seeking truth. It serves as a powerful example of the lengths one should go to in pursuit of divine wisdom and truth.

to hear the wisdom of Solomon
Solomon's wisdom was renowned, a gift from God that attracted many, including the Queen of Sheba. Her journey to hear Solomon's wisdom is a testament to her recognition of its value. In the context of Matthew 12:42, it serves as a reminder of the greater wisdom present in Jesus, who is the embodiment of divine wisdom.

and now one greater than Solomon is here
This phrase is the crux of the verse, highlighting the superiority of Jesus over Solomon. While Solomon was wise, Jesus is the source of all wisdom, being the Son of God. The phrase "greater than Solomon" underscores the magnitude of Jesus' authority and the tragedy of the generation's failure to recognize and accept Him. It calls readers to acknowledge Jesus' divine wisdom and respond with faith and obedience.

(42) The queen of the south.--Literally, a queen of the south, as before, men of Nineveh, the Greek having no article. Rhetorically, the absence of the article is in this case more emphatic than its presence.

Verse 42. - Almost verbally identical with Luke 11:31. The queen of the south (βασίλισσα νότου, anarthrous; ver. 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 (ver. 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 condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts (the ends, Revised Version) of the earth. Observe the contrast; the message was brought to the Ninevites in their own homes. She marks a higher stage of inquiry and faith. To hear the wisdom of Solomon; i.e. not out of mere curiosity to see him. And, behold, a greater than Solomon is here (ver. 41, note). Observe that Christ claims for himself superiority to the one prophet that was listened to by a Gentile nation, and to the one king whose wisdom drew an inquirer from "the ends of the earth." Rightly; for the claim is confirmed by history; the Gospels have had greater influence than all the Prophets, both "former" and "later," and than all the Hekmah literature. Jesus of Nazareth has drawn all men unto him (John 12:32; cf. 19).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
The queen
βασίλισσα (basilissa)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 938: A queen. Feminine from basileuo; a queen.

of [the] south
νότου (notou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3558: The south wind, the South. Of uncertain affinity; the south(-west) wind; by extension, the southern quarter itself.

will rise
ἐγερθήσεται (egerthēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1453: (a) I wake, arouse, (b) I raise up. Probably akin to the base of agora; to waken, i.e. Rouse.

at
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

judgment
κρίσει (krisei)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2920: Decision; by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice.

with
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

this
ταύτης (tautēs)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

generation
γενεᾶς (geneas)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1074: From genos; a generation; by implication, an age.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

condemn
κατακρινεῖ (katakrinei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2632: To condemn, judge worthy of punishment. From kata and krino; to judge against, i.e. Sentence.

it;
αὐτήν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

for
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

she came
ἦλθεν (ēlthen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ends
περάτων (peratōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 4009: (a) a boundary, limit, extremity, (b) an end, conclusion. From the same as peran; an extremity.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

earth
γῆς (gēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

to hear
ἀκοῦσαι (akousai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

wisdom
σοφίαν (sophian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4678: Wisdom, insight, skill (human or divine), intelligence. From sophos; wisdom.

of Solomon,
Σολομῶνος (Solomōnos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4672: Solomon, son of David King of Israel, and Bathsheba. Of Hebrew origin; Solomon, the son of David.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

now
ἰδοὺ (idou)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

[One] greater than
πλεῖον (pleion)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular - Comparative
Strong's 4119: Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.

Solomon
Σολομῶνος (Solomōnos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 4672: Solomon, son of David King of Israel, and Bathsheba. Of Hebrew origin; Solomon, the son of David.

is here.
ὧδε (hōde)
Adverb
Strong's 5602: From an adverb form of hode; in this same spot, i.e. Here or hither.


Links
Matthew 12:42 NIV
Matthew 12:42 NLT
Matthew 12:42 ESV
Matthew 12:42 NASB
Matthew 12:42 KJV

Matthew 12:42 BibleApps.com
Matthew 12:42 Biblia Paralela
Matthew 12:42 Chinese Bible
Matthew 12:42 French Bible
Matthew 12:42 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Matthew 12:42 The queen of the south will rise (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 12:41
Top of Page
Top of Page