Matthew 12:41
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| Matthew 12:41 | |
|---|---|
← 12:40 12:42 → | |
 Jonah Preaching to the Ninevites (1866) by Gustave Doré | |
| Book | Gospel of Matthew |
| Christian Bible part | New Testament |
Matthew 12:41 is the 41st verse in the twelfth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament.
In the original Greek according to Westcott-Hort, this verse reads:
- Ἄνδρες Νινευῖται ἀναστήσονται ἐν τῇ κρίσει μετὰ τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτήν· ὅτι μετενόησαν εἰς τὸ κήρυγμα Ἰωνᾶ· καὶ ἰδού, πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε.[1]
In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:
- 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.
The New International Version translates the passage as:
- The men of Nineveh will stand up 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.
Analysis
The story of the Ninevites and king Sardanapalus is related in the Book of Jonah, in which they repented at Jonah's word and did penance. Christ appears to be stating that on the day of judgment they will condemn the Scribes and the Jews who would not believe Christ.
Christ is said to be greater than Jonah in a number of ways which are enumerated by St. Augustine. Jonah was a prophet and a servant: Christ Messiah and Lord. Jonah remained alive in the fish and came forth alive: Christ rose from death, and restored to life, came forth. Jonah preached unwillingly: Christ willingly. Jonah threatened the destruction of Nineveh: Christ promised the kingdom of Heaven. Jonah did no miracles: Christ did many. All the prophets prophesied of Christ: none of Jonah.[2][3]
