Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In the passage cited in the question, Jesus was referring to the events described in 1 Kings 10:1-13 in the Old Testament.

When Solomon became king of Israel after the death of his father David, God had appeared to him in a dream and offered to give Solomon whatever he asked (1 Kings 3:5-14). Solomon did not ask God for wealth, or a long life, or for military victory over his enemies, but for wisdom, so that he might rule Israel properly and do what was right in God's sight.

This pleased God, so God told Solomon that He would not only give Solomon greater wisdom than anyone who had come before him or would come after him, but that He would also give him the things for which he had not asked.

Solomon subsequently displayed such great wisdom (in passages such as 1 Kings 3:16-28 and in the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 1:1) in the established canon of Scroipture, aside from any deuterocanonical writings) that reports of his wisdom spread throughout the region, including to the queen of Sheba (which scholars identify as the modern-day country of Yemen in the southern Arabian Peninsula).

She made the journey to Israel to meet Solomon, to speak with him, and to test him with difficult questions. Solomon answered or explained all the questions that she put to him, and the queen of Sheba told him that his wisdom and prosperity were even greater than the reports she had heard. 

As wise and majestic as Solomon was, Jesus (as the incarnate Son of God) was (and is) even wiser (in fact, omniscient) and worthy of greater honor. That is why He referred to Himself as "One who is greater than Solomon". However, the religious authorities of that time (as well as the majority of the nation of Israel) refused to recognize His wisdom, or His identity as the Messiah.

That was why Jesus told those authorities that, in the final judgment at the end of time, the queen of Sheba would arise and condemn them, because she had traveled a long distance to witness and honor Solomon's wisdom, but the religious authorities had failed to recognize and honor One who was greater than Solomon (that is, Jesus) when He was right in their midst.

December 29 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

The Queen of Sheba came to hear the "wisdom of Solomon" as Christ said of her: 

LU 11:31 "The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, something greater than Solomon is here." pp Matthew 12:42.

The background for her visit is 1KI 3:28 "And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king [Solomon] had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment."

1CO 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Jesus Christ was saying that He is wisdom personified ("something greater than wise old Solomon is here!") -- Right here in your midst. 

This Queen of Sheba traveled 1,200 miles to hear Solomon's wisdom, and "you people," Jesus was saying, "have this wonderful wisdom standing right in front of you!" (the gist). And then, the gist of what He said, was "and you'll be judged because you are rejecting it/Me."

May 25 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Why did Jesus refer to the Queen of Sheba and Solomon in Luke 11:31?

31 "The Queen of Sheba will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here - but you refuse to listen."

Jesus references the Queen of Sheba and Solomon to condemn the skepticism of his generation, highlighting that the Queen travelled far to hear Solomon's wisdom, while they rejected someone far greater. She serves as a witness in the final judgment against those who witnessed Jesus' ministry but lacked faith. 

Some key details regarding this passage include the following:

A "Greater" Authority: 

Jesus declares, "One greater than Solomon is here," asserting his divine authority and superior wisdom compared to Israel's historically wisest king.

Contrast in Response: 

The Queen of Sheba, a Gentile, travelled from the "ends of the earth" to hear Solomon's wisdom, whereas the Jewish people of Jesus' time refused to listen to him, even though he was directly in their midst.

The Final Judgment: 

Jesus states the Queen of the South will rise at the judgment and condemn his generation for their unbelief.

Accountability to Revelation: 

The passage emphasises that those who received greater revelation (witnessing Jesus) are more accountable for their response than those in the past. 

This comparison, along with the example of the Ninevites in the same chapter, reinforces that the rejection of Jesus by the religious leaders was inexcusable, as even foreign outsiders (Gentiles) in history were more receptive to God's wisdom than they were. 

Jesus said of the Queen of Sheba that she came "to hear the wisdom of Solomon." (Lu 11:31) She was impressed by what Solomon said, by what she saw of the prosperity of his kingdom, and by his wise organisation of his staff. She praised the king's servants for hearing his wisdom and blessed God for placing him on the throne. (1Ki 10:2-9; 2Ch 9:1-9) 

Queen Sheba exclaimed, "Look! I had not been told the half. You have surpassed in wisdom and prosperity the things heard to which I listened."

The Queen of Sheba also made a big sacrifice in time and effort to visit Solomon. Apparently, Sheba was in the area of the present-day Republic of Yemen, so the Queen and her camel train travelled well over 1,000 miles [1,600 km] to Jerusalem. As Jesus said, "She came from the ends of the earth." Why did the Queen of Sheba go to so much trouble? She came primarily "to hear the wisdom of Solomon."​

Imagine she travelled well over 1,000 miles to hear the wisdom of Solomon for herself; she had only heard about it and wanted to listen to it firsthand.

Lesson for us?

How far would we travel to hear the word and wisdom of God?

The Queen of Sheba showed great faith in what she heard as Jesus pointed out, " The queen of the south shall rise in the judgment with the men of this generation, and shall condemn them: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon."

The Queen of Sheba Valued Wisdom:

The Queen of Sheba made a long and arduous trip to see Solomon (2Ch 9:1, 2).

Solomon's wisdom and riches left her breathless (2Ch 9:3, 4;)
God (2Ch 9:7, 8).

The Queen of Sheba was astounded by the wisdom God gave Solomon (1Ki 10:4, 5).

Like the Queen of Sheba, we can show appreciation for God-given wisdom. 

How? One way is to apply Jesus' teachings in our lives and do our best to imitate his example. (Mt 12:42; 1Pe 2:21)

24 hours ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report