Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 11:31

"The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here." — Luke 11:31 (ASV)

The inclusion of the Queen of Sheba (cf. 1 Kings 10:1–13) fortifies the judgment on Jesus’ generation, because she traveled a great distance to hear the wisdom of Solomon. A double contrast is implied in these two examples: (1) the response of the audience, and (2) the greatness of the preacher. The “one greater” (v.32) than Solomon and Jonah is, of course, Jesus.