Matthew 12:42Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

That none should think that the same things would come to pass now among the Jews, as had of old been among the Ninevites; that as Jonas converted them and their city was delivered out of danger, so the Jews should be converted after the resurrection, the Lord now shews the contrary, that they should have no fruit of the benefit of the passion, but should suffer moreover grievous things, as He signifies below in the example of the dæmon. But now He first shews what just punishment they shall suffer, saying, The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation.

This queen, he asserts, traveled from a great distance, despite her frailty, to learn about trees, forests, and various aspects of nature. Yet, you did not welcome me when I arrived, sharing even profound truths.

Christ's greatness compared to Jonah or Solomon was of little significance, for He is the Lord, while they served as mere servants. Yet, who were those that scorned the Lord Himself, while outsiders gave heed to His emissaries?

The Lord speaks of those who disdain Divine teachings, show indifference toward moral integrity, and have completely dismissed the uplifting principles of wisdom. He states that, when compared to their peers who have demonstrated a commendable passion for righteousness, these individuals will endure the harshest judgment for their failure to fulfill their responsibilities.

The queen of the south will rise up to judge him; she represents the Church. Just as she visited Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-10), so does the Church approach the Lord. As she will bring condemnation upon the people, likewise the Church will do so. If she, who sought only to witness the fleeting wisdom of a mortal monarch, brings judgment upon the people, how much more will the Church, which delights in witnessing the everlasting King and His wisdom that is free from any forgetfulness? For it is written, "If we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him" (cf. Rom. 8:17).

Not by a sentence of judgment, but by the comparison of their example; as He adds, For they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. This word ‘hic’ is to be taken as an adverb of place, not as a pronoun. Jonas (according to the LXX) preached for three days, (Jonah 3:4 ἔτι τρδῖς ἡμέδαι) I for this so long time; he to the Assyrians an unbelieving nation, I to God’s own people the Jews; he preached with his voice only, doing no miracles, I, doing so many wonders, am falsely accused as Beelzebub.

To the south lies Ethiopia, referred to as Sheba in the third book of Kings (3 Kings 10:1). This land was part of the created order. He said, "And behold, more than Solomon is here," for while Solomon ruled solely over Judah, Christ reigns over both heaven and earth. Solomon exemplified human wisdom, but Christ embodies Divine wisdom. Through this comparison, He highlights their profound deceit and foretells, in the form of a parable, the misfortunes that will come upon them.

The Ninevites typify those who cease from sin—the queen those that know not to sin; for penitence puts away sin, wisdom shuns it.

The Lord shews in these words that there shall be one resurrection of the good and the bad against certain heretics, who said that there should be two, one of the good, another of the bad. These words likewise overthrow that fable of the Jews, who use to say that the Resurrection shall be held a thousand years before the Judgment; these words clearly proving that the Judgment shall ensue straight upon the Resurrection. And shall condemn it.

The queen of the south will stand up at the judgment against this generation and will condemn it. Despite being a woman and a Gentile, her perceived frailty did not hinder her from undertaking a long journey. Her desire for wisdom fortified her vulnerability. In contrast, the very husbands and priests who ought to have cherished wisdom scorned the wisdom that was right before them. She hastened to seek out man, yet these men turned away from God. Her eagerness was fueled by a longing to hear his straightforward words just once; while they, witnessing divine works daily, chose to blaspheme against Him. She traveled to see Solomon, eager only to hear of his greatness, whereas these individuals witnessed the truth of Christ and chose to reject Him. She presented many gifts to glean his wisdom, while they were disinclined to accept the gifts of the Kingdom of Heaven in order to believe.

The Lord offers another illustration: THE QUEEN OF THE SOUTH, representing the queen of the southern nations or Sheba, WILL APPEAR TO JUDGE WITH ONE GREATER THAN HER, FOR SHE TRAVELED FROM THE FAR REACHES OF THE EARTH, from distant lands, TO SEEK THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON; and behold, MORE THAN SOLOMON IS HERE - here is the Wisdom of God made flesh. The queen of the South undertook her journey to Solomon from afar, a woman motivated solely by her desire for wise counsel. Solomon was the ruler of Judah alone, while I am the Sovereign of Heaven and earth. Solomon welcomed the queen without abandoning his royal residence, yet I come to those who do not seek Me; I walk among your cities and pathways.

In reminding the Pharisees and scribes of the visit by the Queen of Sheba, Jesus pointed out that this Gentile had traveled from a great distance to seek the wisdom of Solomon. In contrast, the scribes and Pharisees failed to acknowledge Him, who was far greater than Solomon, as He came to them for their salvation from sin. Consequently, at the final judgment, the Queen of the South would stand in judgment over them; her acknowledgment of Solomon's wisdom would be a condemnation for those who did not recognize the divine nature of Christ the Messiah sent to them.

The "Queen of the South" refers to the Queen of Sheba who visited Solomon, as noted in the book of Kings. Sheba is thought to have been a city located in Arabia, south of Judah. The phrase "from the uttermost parts of the land" signifies the great distance of the region in question, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:49. The Queen will “condemn this generation” because she traveled from afar to hear the wisdom of Solomon, while the Jewish people did not heed the incarnate divine wisdom.