Definition: The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas [is] here.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 11:32. It’s a really important and somewhat dramatic passage about judgment and responsibility. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse speaks about the future judgment of humanity – specifically, of our generation – and how we will be held accountable for our actions. It suggests that people in the future will look back and harshly judge us because we didn’t repent (turn away from sin) at the time of Jonas’s preaching. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “The men of Nineve…” : This is a powerful metaphor. Nineveh was a city destroyed by God for its wickedness – a place known for extreme cruelty and oppression. It represents a time when humanity was at its worst, full of sin and rebellion. “…shall rise up in the judgment…” : This means people will actively and publicly condemn us. They won't just be silent observers; they’ll stand up and say something negative about what we’ve done. “…with this generation…” : This refers to our current generation – the ones who are living right now. It's not just a general judgment, but specifically focused on us . “…and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas…” : This is the core of the message. Jonas was a prophet in ancient Israel who warned about the impending destruction of Nineveh. The people in the future repented – they showed remorse and changed their ways – because of this warning. They acknowledged their wrongdoing, which is what triggered the judgment. “…and, behold, a greater than Jonas [is] here.” : This is the shocking part! The verse then says that a greater person (often interpreted as Jesus) is coming to judge us. The word "greater" emphasizes that this judgment isn't just about us ; it’s about someone who will be far more serious and righteous than anyone we've ever known. In a nutshell, the verse says that future generations will hold a very harsh judgment on humanity because of our failure to repent. It’s a warning about the importance of turning away from sin and seeking God's forgiveness. Why is this important? This prophecy is often interpreted as a preview of Jesus’s own coming and the ultimate judgment that will occur at the end of time. It highlights the need for us to live righteously and repent of our sins before it’s too late. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss its meaning within a specific biblical context (like the story of Jonah)? Connect it to other parts of the Bible?