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Explanation for:
Matthew
12
:
41
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.
12
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Not measured by the ability to declare judgment, but rather by their greatness in contrast. And consider, there is far more here than Jonah. The Latin term hic is interpreted as an adverb (here), rather than as a pronoun. According to the Septuagint, the prophet Jonah proclaimed his message for only three days; yet I have been preaching for a much longer time: Jonah addressed the faithless Assyrians, while I speak to the Jews, who are the chosen people; he spoke to foreigners, while I reach out to my fellow countrymen; he delivered his message plainly, without performing any signs; and I, who perform numerous wonders, am criticized as if I were Beelzebub. Thus, in what is accomplished among you, there is indeed more than Jonah."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Jonah served as a messenger, and I am the Sovereign Lord; he emerged from the belly of the fish, while I triumphed over death. He proclaimed impending doom, yet I came to announce the reign of God. The residents of Nineveh accepted his message without witnessing any miraculous signs, while I have performed countless wonders before you; they listened only to the stern proclamations of a prophet, while I revealed to you the depths of divine wisdom. Jonah was sent to Nineveh as God's servant, yet I am the Sovereign over all creation. I did not come bearing threats or demanding accountability, but rather offering salvation. The Ninevites were Gentiles, and you have received messages from numerous prophets. Although none foretold of Jonah, many spoke of me, and my actions align fully with the prophecies. He attempted to evade the presence of the Lord, seeking to avoid derision; however, I entered the world knowing that I would face crucifixion and scorn. He could not bear the thought of the Ninevites receiving mercy; yet I endured death—an especially disgraceful death—and afterwards, I continue to send others to proclaim the good news. He was a foreigner among the Ninevites, recognized by none; but I am your flesh and blood, sharing the same ancestry. Beyond these clear distinctions, many more insights await those who reflect more deeply on this matter."},{"author-name":"Anonymous Commentary (Opus Imperfectum)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The people of Nineveh will stand in judgment. They accepted the prophet, while the Jewish people dismissed Christ, the Lord of all prophets. The Ninevites repented and turned to the Lord without the guidance of the Law or the prophets, nor did they have the encouragement of the apostles; they recognized their transgressions. In contrast, the Jews were well aware of the Law and the prophets but turned away from the Lord. In just three days, those who had once belonged to the devil became the people of God, while those who had appeared to be God's people transformed into followers of Satan following the crucifixion of Christ. The Ninevites, unfamiliar with this man and having only heard astonishing things about Him, should have sought out miraculous signs to confirm the truth of His message; instead, they witnessed no such signs and were saved purely through faith. Conversely, the Jews observed numerous miracles that affirmed His divine nature but not only rejected His teachings but also condemned Him to death. The Ninevites, filled with sorrow and contrition, received forgiveness for their sins, whereas the Jews, lacking in repentance, refused the gift of remission. For without repentance, the gifts and calling of Christ are not accepted."},{"author-name":"Cyrill of Alexandria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a8ea5c988a4fc073480_Cyrill%20of%20Alexandria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"While Jonah can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ, this analogy does not extend to every detail. For instance, Jonah was called to proclaim God's message to the Ninevites but attempted to evade God's presence (See Jonah 1:1-3), demonstrating reluctance in fulfilling his divine mission. In contrast, the Son was sent by God the Father to share His message with the nations without any hesitation. Jonah urged his fellow sailors to throw him into the sea (Jon. 1:12), was consumed by a great fish, and after three days emerged from it, subsequently proceeding to Nineveh to carry out his calling, yet he was deeply troubled when God showed compassion to the Ninevites. Similarly, Christ willingly faced death, descended into the depths, rose triumphantly, and then journeyed to Galilee, commanding the proclamation to all nations, but He did not mourn when those who were called to salvation embraced it. Thus, just as bees diligently collect what is beneficial for honeycomb during their flight through blooming meadows, we who engage with the sacred Scriptures should continually seek and compile insights that illuminate the mysteries of Christ, ensuring our understanding is thorough and precise."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"When he mentions that Jonah proclaimed God's message after emerging from the belly of the great fish, the people accepted him. However, after my Resurrection, I will not receive the same faith from you; thus, you will be judged by the Ninevites, who believed in my servant Jonah without needing signs, despite being Gentiles. You have been educated by the prophets and have witnessed the signs, yet you have not placed your trust in Me, the Lord. For this is captured in the statement, ‘And behold, there is more than Jonah here.’"},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"On one hand, as the All-Knowing One, He foresees their lack of repentance even following such a Resurrection, while on the other hand, He instills fear within them. When we often assert that someone will condemn us at the final judgment, it is not to imply that person will be our judge, for only Christ will have that authority; rather, it means their deeds will stand in contrast to ours and bring us to shame. This was the approach taken by Christ. He declared, ‘And behold, Jonah is here, for Jonah serves as a messenger, while Christ is the Sovereign; he emerged from the belly of a fish, and this one from the realm of the dead; he came unwillingly, while this one came of His own accord; he was an outsider, but this one is a relative according to the flesh; he announced destruction, while this one proclaims the kingdom of heaven; he performed no miracles, while this one has done countless signs; no one prophesied about this one, yet all the prophets spoke of this one. Furthermore, the Ninevites were Gentiles, while the Jews were steeped in the Scriptures; the latter heard Jonah say only this: ‘three days more, and Nineveh shall be turned’ (Jonah 3:4), and they promptly believed him and repented; yet those who heard Christ, who shared with them the riches of divine wisdom, did not place their faith in Him. Clearly, there are many other greater things that Christ possessed."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The inhabitants of Nineveh will face trial once more, as the Lord has said, and they will pass judgment on their actions. They have turned from the preaching of Jonah and have therefore received God's grace, allowing their city to thrive for two additional centuries. Moreover, there is further testimony of Jonah, as St. John Chrysostom explains: \\"Jonah was a servant, but I am the Master; he brought a message of destruction, while I came to proclaim the Kingdom. The people of Nineveh believed his words without requiring a sign, while I have performed many miracles; Jonah arrived with warnings, yet I offer forgiveness. The people of Nineveh were Gentiles, yet you have been blessed with the words of many prophets. No one announced the coming of Jonah, but all the prophets have testified about Me, and My actions align perfectly with their messages. Jonah tried to flee from the presence of the Lord, believing he could escape scorn, but I knew from the beginning that I would be crucified and ridiculed, which is why I entered this world. He could not bear even a small amount of that humiliation to save the Ninevites, but I will face death—the most disgraceful kind of death—and from there, I will send others to share the Good News. Jonah was an outsider in Nineveh, unknown to them, but I am your relative by blood.\\""},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The \\"Ninevites\\" refers to the residents of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire. Situated along the Tigris River, northeast of Babylon, the city was distinguished by its vast population, which is estimated to have reached around 600,000 during the era of the prophet Jonah, as well as its wealth and indulgent lifestyle. At God’s directive, the prophet Jonah urged the Ninevites to repent; they responded to his prophetic summons, leading to a deep and genuine contrition that postponed the city’s destruction—an outcome that had been foretold by God through Jonah—for two hundred years. Ultimately, circa 600 B.C., Nineveh fell to the Babylonians, fulfilling the prophecy delivered by Nahum, another prophet, 115 years earlier (Nahum 1:8, Nahum 2:6). \\n\\nIn the Day of Judgment, they will rise to testify against the Jewish people, particularly the Pharisees, who ignored the teachings of their Messiah while the Ninevites accepted the message of God’s messenger. The phrase \\"Here is greater than Jonah\\" signifies Christ Himself, indicating that His arrival among the Jews carries immeasurably more significance than Jonah’s appearance in Nineveh. While Jonah was merely a servant, Christ is the Sovereign; Jonah emerged from the belly of a great fish, whereas Christ will rise from the dead. Jonah proclaimed impending destruction, yet Christ has come to announce the establishment of God’s kingdom. The Ninevites, without any signs, believed Jonah's message, whereas Christ has performed numerous miracles; they heard only the dire warnings of the prophet, but Christ has revealed to them the profound depths of divine wisdom. Jonah came as a servant of God, but Christ is the Lord and Master of all, arriving not with threats or demands for justice, but with the promise of forgiveness.\\n\\nThe Ninevites were Gentiles, yet many prophets have delivered messages to you, the Jews. No one spoke of Jonah's coming, while all have foretold the arrival of Christ, whose works are in complete alignment with the prophecies. Jonah sought to advocate for the Lord, hoping to evade scorn; however, Christ, fully aware of the crucifixion and humiliation awaiting Him, entered the world willingly. Jonah was unwilling to face humiliation for the sake of the Ninevites’ salvation; on the other hand, Christ will face death—not just any death, but the most shameful kind—after which He will send others to proclaim His message. Jonah was a stranger among the Ninevites, unknown to them, but Christ is related to you by blood, descending from the same ancestors you share."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Highlighting the example of the repentant people of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba, we see that the Ninevites accepted Jonah's message without seeking signs to validate his words. In contrast, the Pharisees and scribes, who witnessed numerous miracles performed by Jesus, insisted on receiving a specific sign from heaven. The Ninevites were Gentiles, yet they reacted sincerely to Jonah's call for repentance, whereas the Jews, who were supposed to worship the true God, remained steadfast in their lack of faith. Despite being unfamiliar with Jonah, the Ninevites responded to his preaching, which contrasts sharply with the Jews who had the Old Testament prophets proclaiming the coming of Christ. Consequently, at the Last Judgment, the Ninevites will stand in a far more favorable position than the Jews, whose hardened hearts will lead to their condemnation, while the Ninevites’ genuine act of repentance will serve as a rebuke to the arrogant Pharisees and scribes.\\n\\nIn refusing the malicious Pharisees a definitive sign to validate His divine mission, the Lord referenced the Ninevites, who were greatly moved by Jonah's message. They answered the prophet's call, repenting openly and demonstrating their sincerity through fasting and prayer, pleading for mercy from the impending doom foretold by Jonah. The Gentiles were astonished by the unexpected arrival of the prophet whom they had not previously known. On the other hand, the Pharisees were aware that John the Baptist had publicly proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God, stating that he had heard the voice of God affirming Him as His beloved Son. Yet, the Pharisees chose not to believe John. Despite witnessing many miraculous acts that could only originate from God, they remained in disbelief. Even after Jesus raised two people from death, their hearts continued to resist faith. \\n\\nWhat further signs could possibly break their obstinacy? If indeed, the resurrection of the crucified Christ itself did not awaken their consciences, then the special sign they demanded would hold little significance for them. It might only serve to momentarily sway them and perhaps diminish their overt hostility toward Jesus, but how long might such a change last? Wouldn't they revert to their previous rancor, much like a person who appears to have overcome a destructive passion only to succumb to it again later? Would not the resentment they had suppressed return to the Pharisees with greater intensity, just as an old passion, once seemingly vanquished, resurfaces with renewed vigor?"},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The inhabitants of Nineveh will rise to condemn this generation, as they turned from their sins at the message delivered by Jonah, who is no longer present. After the sign of Jonah the prophet, meaning after the Resurrection, the Jewish people will refuse to believe in Christ; thus, they will face condemnation from the Ninevites, who accepted Jonah's message without the need for miraculous signs."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Gospel of Luke offers a brief account of the words spoken by Jesus Christ when He delivered the demoniac from evil. In the introduction to these discourses, Luke notes Christ’s request for a sign, which serves to clarify the nature of His message. Following this introduction, the speeches themselves unfold in a continuous manner. Prior to Jesus’ response to the call for a sign, we observe that the crowds had begun to gather around Him in large numbers. The Jewish leaders sought a miraculous sign from heaven, desiring an extraordinary event such as a solar eclipse. In addressing this request, Jesus directs their attention to His resurrection. The demand for a sign stemmed from disbelief that remained unaffected by His miraculous deeds or teachings, prompting the Lord to deliver a scathing rebuke to those who doubted among His audience. The people of Nineveh repented at Jonah's simple proclamation, yet these individuals fail to respond to the far more compelling message of Christ, which was accompanied by miraculous acts. Similarly, the Queen of Sheba traveled from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon, yet these people are unmoved by the divine counsel offered by the Lord in person. Consequently, both the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba will stand as witnesses against the obstinate unbelief of their contemporaries at the final judgment."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord responded to those requesting additional signs from heaven, explaining that their anticipation for such signs is futile. They will receive no sign beyond that of Jonah the prophet, who was entombed for three days and nights in the depths of the sea yet emerged alive. Through his preaching, he led the people of Nineveh to repentance. Similarly, the Son of Man will remain in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. His supreme miracle—the Resurrection—will serve as a significant sign for all who still seek such manifestations. While these signs might attract large crowds to Jesus, many are drawn primarily by the outward magnificence of these miracles rather than through genuine inner transformation.\\n\\nWith the apostles’ proclamation of repentance, and with the Messiah no longer visibly present, individuals would be more likely to recognize the Divine Mission of the Risen Christ, comprehend His kingdom in a spiritual manner, and turn their hearts toward Him. However, for those who remain obstinate, this sign will signal judgment, much like Jonah's appearance in Nineveh heralded impending doom. The Lord perceived that for this faithless and sinful generation, it would be more a marker of judgment than a token of mercy, and thus He chastised their hardness of heart. He compared the Jewish people to the Queen of Sheba and the people of Nineveh, finding the chosen nation lacking when measured against the Gentiles, despite the presence of One who is greater than both Solomon and Jonah."}]}
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