MAT 12:41 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

UST The people who lived in the ancient city of Nineveh stopped sinning when Jonah preached to them. And now there is something even more important than the prophet Jonah. However, you have not stopped sinning. Therefore, when God judges everyone, the people who lived in Nineveh will stand up and condemn the people who are alive right now.

BLB The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it. For they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.

AICNT “Men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

OEB At the judgment, the people of Nineveh will stand up with this generation, and will condemn it, because they repented at Jonah’s proclamation; and here is more than a Jonah!

WEBBE The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgement with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here.

WMBB The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgement with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented at the proclaiming of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here.

NET The people of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented when Jonah preached to them – and now, something greater than Jonah is here!

LSV Men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they converted at the proclamation of Jonah, and behold, [One] greater than Jonah [is] here!

FBV The people of Nineveh will rise in the judgment together with this generation and they will condemn it because they repented in response to Jonah's message—and as you see, there's someone greater than Jonah here!

TCNT 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.

T4T When God judges all people, the people who lived in Nineveh will stand in front of him with you people who have seen me perform miracles. The people of Nineveh turned from their sinful ways as a result of hearing what Jonah preached. Jonah was important, but I, who am more important than Jonah, have come and preached to you, but you have not turned from your sinful ways. So when God judges all people, he will condemn you.

LEB The people of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and behold, something[fn] greater than Jonah is here!

12:41 *Here “something” is supplied in the translation because the adjective is neuter gender

BBE The men of Nineveh will come up in the day of judging and give their decision against this generation: because they were turned from their sins at the preaching of Jonah; and now a greater than Jonah is here.

Moff The men of Ninive will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it;
⇔ for when Jonah preached they did repent, and here is One greater than Jonah.

Wymth There will stand up men of Nineveh at the Judgement together with the present generation, and will condemn it; because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and mark! there is One greater than Jonah here.

ASV 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.

DRA The men of Ninive shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they did penance at the preaching of Jonas. And behold a greater than Jonas here.

YLT 'Men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it, for they reformed at the proclamation of Jonah, and lo, a greater than Jonah here!

Drby Ninevites shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and behold, more than Jonas [is] here.

RV 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.
(The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgement with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here. )

SLT The Ninevite men shall rise up in judgment with this generation, and condemn it: for they repented at the proclamation of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas here.

Wbstr The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.

KJB-1769 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 shall rise in judgement with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. )

KJB-1611 The men of Nineue shall rise in iudgement with this generation, and shall condemne it, because they repented at the preaching of Ionas, and behold, a greater then Ionas is here.
(The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgement with this generation, and shall condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Yonas, and behold, a greater then Yonas is here.)

Bshps The men of Niniue shall ryse in the iudgement, with this nation, and condemne it, because they repented at the preachyng of Ionas: and beholde, here is one greater then Ionas.
(The men of Nineveh shall rise in the judgement, with this nation, and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Yonas: and behold, here is one greater then Yonas.)

Gnva The men of Nineue shall rise in iudgement with this generation, and condemne it: for they repented at the preaching of Ionas: and behold, a greater then Ionas is here.
(The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgement with this generation, and condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Yonas: and behold, a greater then Yonas is here. )

Cvdl The men of Ninyue shal ryse in the last iudgment with this generacion, and shal condemne it: for they dyd penaunce acordinge to ye preachinge of Ionas. And beholde, here is one greater the Ionas.
(The men of Ninyue shall rise in the last judgement with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they did penance according to ye/you_all preaching of Yonas. And behold, here is one greater the Yonas.)

TNT The men of Ninivie shall rise at the daye of iugdement with this nacion and condemne them: for they amended at the preachinge of Ionas. And beholde a greater then Ionas is here.
(The men of Ninivie shall rise at the day of judgement with this nation and condemn them: for they amended at the preaching of Yonas. And behold a greater then Yonas is here. )

Wycl Men of Nynyue schulen rise in doom with this generacioun, and schulen condempne it; for thei diden penaunce in the prechyng of Jonas, and lo! here a gretter than Jonas.
(Men of Nineveh should rise in judgement with this generation, and should condemn it; for they did penance in the preching of Yonas, and lo! here a greater than Yonas.)

Luth Die Leute von Ninive werden auftreten am Jüngsten Gerichte mit diesem Geschlechte und werden es verdammen; denn sie taten Buße nach der Predigt des Jona. Und siehe, hier ist mehr denn Jona.
(The people/folk from Ninive become on/in/totreten in/at/on_the youngest_(one) court(n)/justice with this_one descendants and become it condemn; because/than they/she/them did repentance after the/of_the sermon the Yona. And see/look, here is more because/than Yona.)

ClVg Viri Ninivitæ surgent in judicio cum generatione ista, et condemnabunt eam: quia pœnitentiam egerunt in prædicatione Jonæ, et ecce plus quam Jonas hic.[fn]
(Men Ninivitæ they_will_rise in/into/on judgement when/with generation these_(ones), and condemnabunt her: because repentance they_did in/into/on preaching Yonæ, and behold plus how Yonas this/here. )

12.41 Viri Ninivitæ. Et est sensus: Jonas paucis diebus et sine signis prædicavit genti incredulæ, et profecit: ego longo tempore, et populo Dei, et compluribus signis, in vanum prædico. Eo magis indigni sunt venia, qui ex lege sunt infideles, quo plus est fidei in his, qui legem nescierunt. Ninive, speciosa: signat gentilitatem quam Christus amavit fœdam, ut faceret pulchram. In Ninivitis et regina Austri, fides Ecclesiæ signatur, quæ non minus per pœnitentiam peractæ insipientiæ quam per industriam discendæ sapientiæ Deo conciliatur. Duæ enim partes sunt Ecclesiæ, quæ peccare nescit, et quæ peccare desistit, pœnitentia enim peccatum abolet, sapientia cavet.

12.41 Men Ninivitæ. And it_is sense: Yonas in_a_few days and without signs preached nation incredulæ, and profecit: I long at_the_time, and to_the_people of_God, and to_many signs, in/into/on vain beforedico. I_am_going more indigni are forgiveness, who/which from lawfully are infidels, where plus it_is of_faith in/into/on his, who/which the_law they_did_not_know. Ninive, beautiful: signs nationlitatem how Christ/Messiah amavit fœdam, as would_do beautiful. In Ninivitis and queen Austri, faith Assemblies/Churches is_signed, which not/no minus through repentance peractæ insipientiæ how through energy discendæ of_wisdom to_God conciliatur. Two because parts are Assemblies/Churches, which to_sin doesn't_know, and which to_sin stops, repentance because sin abolet, wisdom cavet.

UGNT ἄνδρες Νινευεῖται ἀναστήσονται ἐν τῇ κρίσει μετὰ τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης, καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτήν; ὅτι μετενόησαν εἰς τὸ κήρυγμα Ἰωνᾶ; καὶ ἰδοὺ, πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε.
(andres Nineueitai anastaʸsontai en taʸ krisei meta taʸs geneas tautaʸs, kai katakrinousin autaʸn; hoti metenoaʸsan eis to kaʸrugma Yōna; kai idou, pleion Yōna hōde.)

SBL-GNT ἄνδρες Νινευῖται ἀναστήσονται ἐν τῇ κρίσει μετὰ τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτήν· ὅτι μετενόησαν εἰς τὸ κήρυγμα Ἰωνᾶ, καὶ ἰδοὺ πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε.
(andres Nineuitai anastaʸsontai en taʸ krisei meta taʸs geneas tautaʸs kai katakrinousin autaʸn; hoti metenoaʸsan eis to kaʸrugma Yōna, kai idou pleion Yōna hōde.)

RP-GNT Ἄνδρες Νινευῖται ἀναστήσονται ἐν τῇ κρίσει μετὰ τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτήν· ὅτι μετενόησαν εἰς τὸ κήρυγμα Ἰωνᾶ, καὶ ἰδού, πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε.
(Andres Nineuitai anastaʸsontai en taʸ krisei meta taʸs geneas tautaʸs kai katakrinousin autaʸn; hoti metenoaʸsan eis to kaʸrugma Yōna, kai idou, pleion Yōna hōde.)

TC-GNT Ἄνδρες [fn]Νινευῖται ἀναστήσονται ἐν τῇ κρίσει μετὰ τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτήν· ὅτι μετενόησαν εἰς τὸ κήρυγμα Ἰωνᾶ· καὶ ἰδού, πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε.
(Andres Nineuitai anastaʸsontai en taʸ krisei meta taʸs geneas tautaʸs kai katakrinousin autaʸn; hoti metenoaʸsan eis to kaʸrugma Yōna; kai idou, pleion Yōna hōde. )

12:41 νινευιται ¦ νινευειται TH WH

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, orange:accents differ, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 12:38–45: Jesus rebuked those who asked for a sign

In this section, the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders increases. Jesus had already said several times that he was someone special. He said that he was greater than the temple (12:6). He said that he was Lord of the Sabbath (12:8). In this section, the religious leaders wanted to see a miraculous sign to confirm that he was really from God.

Jesus rebuked the religious leaders for asking for a sign, and he refused to give them an immediate sign. A sign would come later. It would be the sign of Jonah. By referring to the sign of Jonah, Jesus meant that he would be in the grave three days (12:40) before God resurrected him. He then told two stories and said that he was greater than Jonah and Solomon. Jesus warned them that if they did not recognize God’s work among them, they would be condemned.

Finally, Jesus told a story to warn the religious leaders of the spiritual dangers that faced them if they did not have the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The religious leaders ask for a sign/miracle

The sign of Jonah

There is a parallel passage for 12:38–42 in Luke 11:29–32. There is a parallel passage for 12:43–45 in Luke 11:24–26.

12:41a

The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment

On the day of judgment, the people of the city of Nineveh will stand up
On the day when God judges people, the Ninevites will give testimony

The men of Nineveh: This phrase refers to the people/inhabitants of the city of Nineveh.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

The people of the city of Nineveh

The Ninevites

will stand: There are two ways to interpret the Greek verb that the BSB translates as will stand:

It means will stand up, or will appear. According to this interpretation, this verb refers to court proceedings when a person or people stand to give testimony. For example:
the people of Nineveh will stand up (GNT) (BSB, NIV, GNT, NET, GW, CEV, NLT, JBP, NLT, REB, NJB, NASB)
It means will rise from the dead, or will live again. This view is supported by some commentators.

The ESV, RSV, and KJV translate the verb literally as “rise” or “arise,” which can be understood either way. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions.

When translating this verb, you should use a verb that is appropriate for appearing in court to condemn someone. It may not be the verb rise or stand. For example:

The men of Nineveh will appear in court when this generation is on trial (REB)

The people of Nineveh will give testimony

at the judgment: This phrase refers to the day when God judges everyone.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

On the Judgment Day (GNT)

On the day of judgment (CEV)

on the day when God judges people

12:41b

with this generation and condemn it;

together with the people of today and will accuse them of sinning,
against you people living today and will show that you are guilty.

with this generation: This phrase means “together with the people who are living now (that is, at Jesus’ time).” This means that the people of Nineveh will be standing at the same time as these people. It does not mean that they will stand in support of them. In fact, the people of Nineveh will stand to condemn them. To make this clear, the NLT says:

against this generation (NLT)

and condemn it: In this context the Greek word that the BSB translates as condemn means “say that someone is guilty of sin.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

testify against it

show that you are guilty (NCV)

accuse you of sin

it: This pronoun refers to “this generation” (12:41b).

Here are some other ways to translate this:

them

that generation

12:41c

for they repented at the preaching of Jonah,

because the people of Nineveh repented when they heard Jonah preach God’s message,
They will show that you are guilty because they turned from their sins when Jonah preached God’s message to them,

for: Verse 12:41c is the reason that the people of Nineveh will condemn this generation. The Greek introduces this reason with a conjunction that the BSB translates as for.

Here are some other ways to introduce this reason:

because

They will accuse them because

they repented at the preaching of Jonah: This clause means that the people of Nineveh changed their minds about sin when they heard Jonah preach to them. They felt sorry for their sins and turned to God.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the people of Nineveh repented when Jonah preached

they turned from their sins when they heard Jonah preach (GNT)

When Jonah preached to them, they were sorry and changed their lives. (NCV)

12:41d

and now One greater than Jonah is here.

and someone greater than Jonah is here, but this generation did not repent.
but you did not turn from your sins even though someone more important than Jonah is here.

There is some important, implied information in this part of the verse. Jesus implied here “but you did not repent.” Jonah preached, and the people of Nineveh repented. Jesus is greater than Jonah. But when Jesus preached, the people did not repent.

Here are some other ways to include this implied information:

Put it after 12:41d. For example:
and something greater than Jonah is here, but you did not repent when he preached.
Put it before 12:41d. For example:
But you did not repent even though something greater than Jonah is here.

and: Verse 12:41d is also part of the reason for the people of Nineveh to condemn this generation (12:41b).

There is a contrast here. The contrast is between the reaction of the people of Nineveh and the implied reaction of the people of this generation. In some languages, it may be natural to introduce this contrast with a conjunction. For example:

But (GW)

now: The Greek word that the BSB translates as now literally means “look” or “see.” It focuses attention on what follows and indicates that it is important, unexpected, or amazing. Here this word indicates that the words that follow are important and amazing: something greater than Jonah is here.

Here are some other ways to show that the words that follow are important:

look (GW)

I tell you (NLT)

Listen to what I am about to say

One greater than Jonah is here: The Greek word that the BSB literally translates as One probably refers to Jesus. In some languages, it is possible for Jesus to refer to himself as One. In other languages, it will be more natural to say:

someone more important than Jonah is here

A similar expression (“something greater than the temple is here”) occurs in 12:6.

greater: In this context, the word greater refers to higher in status and not to bigger in size. Jesus was more important than Jonah.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

more important

more valuable

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

ἄνδρες Νινευεῖται ἀναστήσονται ἐν τῇ κρίσει μετὰ τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης, καὶ κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτήν; ὅτι μετενόησαν εἰς τὸ κήρυγμα Ἰωνᾶ; καὶ ἰδοὺ, πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε

˓the˒_men (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἄνδρες Νινευῖται ἀναστήσονται ἐν τῇ κρίσει μετά τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης καί κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτήν ὅτι μετενόησαν εἰς τό κήρυγμα Ἰωνᾶ καί ἰδού πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε)

If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these clauses, since the second half of the verse gives the reason for the result that the first half of the verse describes. Alternate translation: [The men of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. So, they will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἄνδρες

˓the˒_men

Although the term men is masculine, Jesus is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that makes this clear. Alternate translation: [The inhabitants] or [The men and women]

Note 3 topic: translate-symaction

ἀναστήσονται ἐν τῇ κρίσει μετὰ τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης

˓will_be˒_standing_up in the judgment (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἄνδρες Νινευῖται ἀναστήσονται ἐν τῇ κρίσει μετά τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης καί κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτήν ὅτι μετενόησαν εἰς τό κήρυγμα Ἰωνᾶ καί ἰδού πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε)

Here, the phrase rise up could mean: (1) to stand up. In this culture, people would stand up to give testimony in a legal proceeding. Alternate translation: [will stand up at the judgment to give testimony before God against this generation] (2) to resurrect. Alternate translation: [will be resurrected with this generation at the judgment]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἀναστήσονται ἐν τῇ κρίσει

˓will_be˒_standing_up in the judgment

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of judgment, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [will, when people are judged, rise up]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης & αὐτήν

the generation this & it

Translate the phrase this generation as you did in [12:39](../12/39.md). Alternate translation: [today’s people … them] or [the people of this generation … them]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἰδοὺ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἄνδρες Νινευῖται ἀναστήσονται ἐν τῇ κρίσει μετά τῆς γενεᾶς ταύτης καί κατακρινοῦσιν αὐτήν ὅτι μετενόησαν εἰς τό κήρυγμα Ἰωνᾶ καί ἰδού πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε)

The word behold draws the attention of the audience and asks them to listen carefully. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express Behold with a word or phrase that asks the audience to listen, or you could draw the audience’s attention in another way. Alternate translation: [see] or [listen carefully]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

πλεῖον Ἰωνᾶ ὧδε

˓one˒_greater_‹than› Jonah_‹is› here

Here Jesus implies that the people of this generation have not repented, unlike the men of Nineveh. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [something greater than Jonah is here, but you have not repented]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / extrainfo

πλεῖον

˓one˒_greater_‹than›

Here, the phrase something greater is a very general term. It could refer to the kingdom of God, Jesus himself, the ministry that Jesus begins, what Jesus calls his disciples to do, or many other things. If possible, you should use a general term that could refer to many or all of these things. See how you translated the similar phrase in [12:6](../12/06.md). Alternate translation: [an entity greater than] or [a new thing greater than]

Parallel MAT 12:41

Section 12:38–45: Jesus rebuked those who asked for a sign

12:41a

12:41b

12:41c

12:41d