Luke 11:31
What does Luke 11:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 11:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 11:31 means
Jesus declares that the "queen of the south" (the Queen of Sheba, who traveled to hear Solomon's wisdom) will rise up in judgment against "the men of this generation" and condemn them. Her long journey to hear Solomon, a mere man, highlights their greater guilt. They had Jesus, "a greater than Solomon"—the embodiment of divine wisdom—yet they rejected Him. Their inaction contrasts sharply with her diligent seeking.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The queen of the South will come up on the day of judging and give her decision against the men of this generation: for she came from the ends of the earth to give ear to the wisdom of Solomon; and now something greater than Solomon is here.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`A queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and lo, greater than Solomon here!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The queen of the south shall rise in the judgment with the men of this generation and shall condemn them: because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold more than Solomon here.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890A 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, more than Solomon is here.
Context
This verse reinforces Jesus' condemnation of the current generation by invoking the example of the Queen of the South. It follows the explanation of the sign of Jonah, using historical figures to highlight spiritual blindness. This comparison sets up an even more direct indictment in the next verse with the men of Nineveh, emphasizing the missed opportunity for repentance in Jesus' presence.
v.30For even as Jonah became a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
v.31This passage
v.32The 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 3:22
and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form, as a dove, upon him, and a voice came out of heaven, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
- Matthew 12:42
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
- Luke 9:35
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him.
- Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- 2 Chronicles 9:1
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great train, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
- Romans 2:27
and shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law?
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