Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 12:41

"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." — Matthew 12:41 (ASV)

The first point of comparison between Jonah and Jesus is that they were both delivered from death—a deliverance that attested to the trustworthiness of their preaching. The second point of comparison is the different responses of the hearers. The people of Nineveh repented; but even though one greater than Jonah is here (i.e., Jesus), people are not repenting. The Ninevites will rise to bear witness against this generation on the Day of Judgment. Thus Jesus’ “sign” did not meet the Jews’ demand for a special token (see comment on v.38), yet it was the only one he would provide. For his own followers, his authority will be grounded in his death and resurrection. And as for those who do not believe, they will only prove themselves more wicked than the Ninevites.