Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 11:32

"The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here." — Luke 11:32 (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.