11:29,30
Although there is a new section heading here in most Bibles, it is actually part of the foregoing discussion. This part is in answer to those in 11:16 who demanded a sign. Now we might think that it is Jonah’s three days inside the fish and the resurrection that Jesus has in mind here, but that is not the case. Rather, it is that Jonah preached repentance and the people of Nineveh repented. “This is a wicked generation”. Remember that these are God’s own people, but God does not show favouritism. Our generation is also “a wicked generation”. What they needed most, and what we need most, is to realise our sinfulness and to repent. The sign Jesus gave was the response of the people of Nineveh who repented when they heard the message of Jonah. Note that Jonah had no love whatsoever for the Ninevites, yet Jesus did love the people, and demonstrated it in most practical ways.
11:31,32
The “Queen of the South” is the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-13). She had heard of Solomon’s wisdom and achievements, so she travelled a significant distance to some and see for herself, and when she saw them she rejoiced in them. The Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba were Gentiles, yet they recognised and responded to the word of God and the wisdom of God when they heard it. The Jews were just carping. One far greater than Solomon and Jonah was among them, yet they did not respond. They had all their excuses, but these excuses would be shown up to be nothing at all. If Nineveh could repent, then Jerusalem certainly had no excuse at all. Today people complain that there “isn’t enough evidence”. Yet many do manage to believe! We must not make excuses for not believing God. Repent and believe is the only right and justifiable response.
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