Luk 11:31 | KingComments | STEP | The fact that the Lord does not seek popularity is apparent from what He begins to say to the increasing crowds. He knows them and knows that they are a wicked generation. As true Jews, they only want to believe when they see signs. However, signs do not make a person believe. The Lord has already done so much, but has this generation come to believe? One more sign will be given to them and that is the sign of Jonah. They know Jonah and his history well. Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites when he appeared there after three days and three nights being in the fish and preaching that they should repent ( ). He did not do some work of power, but spoke the Word. It was a word of judgment in which at the same time God’s mercy had a place. We see that when the Ninevites have repented, for God does not let judgment come. In the same way, the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation when He rises from the dead. Like all signs, they will only see this sign when they repent. In the mission to the Ninevites, the Gentiles, we see the love of God for all people. This love for all people is also seen in the sending of the Lord Jesus. The Lord refers to another example to show them the situation they are in. At the judgment that will be pronounced over them when they stand before the great white throne, the Queen of the South will testify against them, and that testimony will be the reason for their condemnation. For she had come from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. What had led her to undertake that long journey? What she had heard about Solomon in connection with the Name of the LORD ( )! The people to whom the Lord Jesus speaks did not have to make a long journey. The wisdom of God has come to them in Him Who is more than Solomon and stands before them and speaks to them. In this context the Lord speaks again of Himself as the Son of Man. In doing so, He makes it clear to all that He not only has a greater glory than Solomon, but also a greater area of authority. His name “Son of Man” indicates that the realm of His government is all creation and also that His government is not only a temporary, but an eternal one. Also the men of Nineveh will testify against them at the judgment. Jonah had preached to them and they had repented. Now He Who is more than Jonah stands before them, and they reject Him. Neither with the Queen of the South nor with Jonah is there any sign or wonder, but the testimony of the Word was heard and worked in power. It worked in the Ninevites to repentance and in the Queen of the South to go to Solomon. In Jonah God sent in His mercy a man to the Gentiles to call them to repent. In the Queen of the South a heathen comes to God, to Solomon, to his house, to see all the glory of Solomon. In these two persons this whole gospel is summarized as it were.

‏ Luke 11:31

Answer to the Question for a Sign

The fact that the Lord does not seek popularity is apparent from what He begins to say to the increasing crowds. He knows them and knows that they are a wicked generation. As true Jews, they only want to believe when they see signs. However, signs do not make a person believe. The Lord has already done so much, but has this generation come to believe? One more sign will be given to them and that is the sign of Jonah.

They know Jonah and his history well. Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites when he appeared there after three days and three nights being in the fish and preaching that they should repent (Jona 3:6-10). He did not do some work of power, but spoke the Word. It was a word of judgment in which at the same time God’s mercy had a place. We see that when the Ninevites have repented, for God does not let judgment come.

In the same way, the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation when He rises from the dead. Like all signs, they will only see this sign when they repent. In the mission to the Ninevites, the Gentiles, we see the love of God for all people. This love for all people is also seen in the sending of the Lord Jesus.

The Lord refers to another example to show them the situation they are in. At the judgment that will be pronounced over them when they stand before the great white throne, the Queen of the South will testify against them, and that testimony will be the reason for their condemnation. For she had come from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. What had led her to undertake that long journey? What she had heard about Solomon in connection with the Name of the LORD (1Kgs 10:1)! The people to whom the Lord Jesus speaks did not have to make a long journey. The wisdom of God has come to them in Him Who is more than Solomon and stands before them and speaks to them.

In this context the Lord speaks again of Himself as the Son of Man. In doing so, He makes it clear to all that He not only has a greater glory than Solomon, but also a greater area of authority. His name “Son of Man” indicates that the realm of His government is all creation and also that His government is not only a temporary, but an eternal one.

Also the men of Nineveh will testify against them at the judgment. Jonah had preached to them and they had repented. Now He Who is more than Jonah stands before them, and they reject Him.

Neither with the Queen of the South nor with Jonah is there any sign or wonder, but the testimony of the Word was heard and worked in power. It worked in the Ninevites to repentance and in the Queen of the South to go to Solomon. In Jonah God sent in His mercy a man to the Gentiles to call them to repent. In the Queen of the South a heathen comes to God, to Solomon, to his house, to see all the glory of Solomon. In these two persons this whole gospel is summarized as it were.