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MATTHEW 12:41 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 12:40Matt 12:42
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.
The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The Ninevites who repented at Jonah's preaching will condemn the generation that rejected Jesus' preaching — the same greater-than argument applied to cities (Matthew 11:21–24) is applied to peoples: the pagan Ninevites who had only Jonah's warning will condemn Israel's generation that had something greater than Jonah.

Church Fathers on Matthew 12:41

That none should think that the same things would come to pass now among the Jews, as had of old been among the Ninevites; that as Jonas converted them and their city was delivered out of danger, so the Jews should be converted after the resurrection, the Lord now shews the contrary, that they should have no fruit of the benefit of the passion, but should suffer moreover grievous things, as He signifies below in the example of the daemon.

Chrysostom · 4th century

The Lord shews in these words that there shall be one resurrection of the good and the bad against certain heretics, who said that there should be two, one of the good, another of the bad. These words likewise overthrow that fable of the Jews, who use to say that the Resurrection shall be held a thousand years before the Judgment; these words clearly proving that the Judgment shall ensue straight upon the Resurrection. 'And shall condemn it.

Remigius · 9th century

Not by a sentence of judgment, but by the comparison of their example; as He adds, 'For they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.' This word 'hic' is to be taken as an adverb of place, not as a pronoun. Jonas (according to the LXX) preached for three days, I for this so long time; he to the Assyrians an unbelieving nation, I to God’s own people the Jews; he preached with his voice only, doing no miracles, I, doing so many wonders, am…

Jerome · 4th century
Read all 7 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Matthew 12:41 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy