Luke 11:32Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The judgment of condemnation comes from men like or unlike to those who are condemned. From like, for instance, as in the parable of the ten virgins, but from unlike, when the Ninevites condemn those who lived at the time of Christ, that so their condemnation might be the more remarkable. (Hom. 43. in Matt.). For the Ninevites indeed were barbarians, but these Jews. The one enjoying the prophetic teaching, the other having never received the divine word. To the former came a servant, to the latter the Master, of whom the one foretold destruction, the other preached the kingdom of heaven. To all men then was it known that the Jews ought rather to have believed, but the contrary happened; therefore he adds, For they repented at the preaching of Jonas, and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

Now Jonas after he came forth from the whale’s belly converts the men of Nineveh by his preaching, but when Christ rose again, the Jewish nation believed not. So there was a sentence already passed upon them, of which there follows a second example, as it is said, The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them.

Furthermore, it is stated that the inhabitants of Nineveh will stand as accusers of the Jewish people during the day of reckoning. These were a crude and uncultured populace, unfamiliar with the true God and lacking knowledge of Moses' prophecies or the magnificent news foretold by the prophets. However, despite their ignorance, they turned from their ways due to Jonah's proclamation. Consequently, they were more virtuous than the Israelites and will face judgment. Consider the words themselves: ‘The men of Nineveh shall rise up in judgment against this generation, and shall condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, greater than Jonah came.’

Luke indeed relates this in the same place as Matthew, but in a somewhat different order. But who does not see that it is an idle question, in what order our Lord said those things, seeing that we ought to learn by the most precious authority of the Evangelist, that there is no falsehood. But not every man will repeat another’s words in the same order in which they proceeded from his mouth, seeing that the order itself makes no difference with respect to the fact, whether it be so or not.

A sign is a thing brought openly to view, containing in itself the manifestation of something hidden, as the sign of Jonas represents the descent to hell, the ascension of Christ, and His resurrection from the dead. Hence it is added, For as Jonas was a sign to the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. He gives them a sign, not from heaven, because they were unworthy to see it, but from the lowest depths of hell; a sign, namely, of His incarnation, not of His divinity; of His passion, not of His glorification.

Now as she was queen of the Ethiopians, and in a far distant country, so in the beginning the Church of the Gentiles was in darkness, and far off from the knowledge of God. But when Christ the Prince of peace shone forth, the Jews being still in darkness, thither came the Gentiles, and offered to Christ the frankincense of piety, the gold of divine knowledge, and precious stones, that is, obedience to His commands.

That you may know that the people of the Synagogue are treated with dishonour, while the blessedness of the Church is increased. But as Jonas was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of man be to the Jews. Hence it is added, They seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given them but the sign of Jonas the prophet.

In this chapter, Matthew also mentions prior to discussing the queen of the south, and refer there for a detailed explanation where every aspect is clarified.

Our Lord had been assailed with two kinds of questions, for some accused Him of casting out devils through Beelzebub, to whom up to this point His answer was addressed; and others tempting Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven, and these He now proceeds to answer. As it follows, And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation, &c.

The Lord responded to those seeking miraculous signs from heaven, asserting that their search would be fruitless. The only sign they would receive is that of Jonah the prophet, who endured three days and three nights in the depths of the ocean yet emerged alive, ultimately leading the people of Nineveh to repentance through his message. Likewise, the Lord proclaimed that the Son of Man would be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. His greatest miracle—His resurrection—would serve as a significant sign for those still yearning for such wonders. While these signs might attract large crowds to Jesus, many would be drawn more by the external brilliance of the miracles rather than experiencing true inward conversion.

The Gospel of Luke provides a succinct account of the words spoken by Jesus when He cast out a demon, highlighting His request for a sign at the beginning of these statements, which serves to elucidate their meaning. Following this introduction, the speeches of Christ are presented in a continuous manner. Prior to responding to the people's demand for a sign, it is noted that a considerable crowd had begun to assemble around Him. The Jewish people sought a sign from heaven, desiring an extraordinary miracle such as a solar eclipse. In reply, Jesus points to His resurrection as the definitive sign. This plea for a miraculous sign arose from their disbelief, which had remained untouched by both His miracles and teachings.

In recalling the story of the Queen of Sheba, Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees and scribes that this Gentile woman traveled a great distance to seek the wisdom of Solomon. Yet, they failed to acknowledge Him who is far greater than Solomon, as He had come to offer them salvation from sin. Consequently, during the final judgment of humanity, the Queen of the South will stand in judgment over them; her acknowledgment of Solomon’s wisdom will serve as a condemnation for those who did not recognize the divine nature of the Messiah sent to them.

The people were not guiltless, and thus, the one who is gentle and humble in spirit sternly chastised this wicked and faithless generation, far more hardened and despairing than the inhabitants of Nineveh, Sodom, and Gomorrah, who had faced the severe judgment of God (Matt. 10:15, Matt. 11:24, Matt. 12:39, 41; Mk. 8:38).

Some scribes and Pharisees, seeking to test the Lord and bring embarrassment upon Him, asked, “Teacher, we desire to see a sign from You,” referring to the words of Luke the Evangelist, a sign from heaven (11:16). They implied that the healings of the demon-possessed, the sick, and even the blind and mute were not significant compared to a heavenly sign like those shown by Moses, who provided manna from above, Joshua, who halted the sun, and Elijah, who called down rain and fire from heaven. Meanwhile, large crowds gathered, perhaps enticed by the promise of witnessing something marvelous.