The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

LUKE 11:32KJV
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Luke 11:32 (KJV)

What does Luke 11:32 mean?

Luke 11:32 says that the people of Nineveh will stand up at the final judgment and show that the current generation is guilty, because the Ninevites repented when Jonah preached to them, but now someone greater than Jonah is present and the current generation is not responding. Jesus is warning his listeners that they are missing an even greater opportunity than the people of Nineveh had.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd that has been demanding signs from him. He refers to the story of Jonah, a prophet who preached to the city of Nineveh, leading them to repent. Jesus points out that the people of Nineveh responded to a lesser messenger, while his own audience is ignoring someone far greater—himself.

The Greek behind Luke 11:32

  • ἀναστήσονται (anastēsontai, "shall rise up"): This word means to stand up or rise, often used for resurrection or standing in judgment. Here, it emphasizes the active role of the Ninevites as witnesses against Jesus’ generation.
  • κατακρινοῦσιν (katakrinousin, "shall condemn"): This means to judge against or condemn. The idea is not that the Ninevites will pass judgment, but that their example will show the guilt of those who reject Jesus.
  • μετενόησαν (metenoēsan, "repented"): This word means to change one’s mind or turn around. The Ninevites’ response to Jonah’s message is held up as a model of true repentance.
  • πλεῖον (pleion, "greater than"): This word means "greater" or "more." Jesus is claiming that he is far greater than Jonah, making the lack of response from his audience even more serious.

Why Luke 11:32 matters

  • Luke 11:32 clarifies that Jesus is not just another prophet but claims to be greater than Jonah, which would have been a bold statement to his Jewish audience.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of ignoring Jesus’ message, especially when others in history responded to much less.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage where Jesus addresses the demand for signs, showing that the problem is not a lack of evidence but a lack of willingness to respond.

Where else these words appear

“preaching” Greek G2782 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 12:41 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.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

“Jonas” Greek G2495 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
  • Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
  • John 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

“condemn” Greek G2632 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 12:41 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.
  • Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
  • Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

“repented” Greek G3340 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
  • Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.