Notes on Luke 11:27-35

This sign is covered in detail in the Gospel of Matthew (below). Jesus responded to the demand for a "sign from heaven" (Luke 11:16). Such a request could only have been motivated by unbelief, especially in view of the many demonstrations of Messianic power already performed by Jesus (Luke 7:20-23). For Luke, Jesus' very presence was a "sign" of God's redemptive activity (Luke 2:34; 11:30).

Just as Jonah's three-day experience in the belly of the great fish had been a sign to the people of Nineveh, so Jesus' resurrection after three days in the tomb would be a sign to the Jews of his day (Luke 11:30).

Jesus refers to "The Queen of the South," (Luke 11:31), that is, the queen of Sheba (modern Yemen), who made a long and difficult journey to visit Solomon (1 Kings 10). Though a heathen, she was a favorable contrast to the people who refused to take notice of Jesus, the "one greater than Solomon," when he was with them. The Ninevites had repented when Jonah preached (Jonah 3:6-10). As with the queen of Sheba, the argument is from the lesser to the greater. People had responded to Solomon and to Jonah (Luke 11:32); how much more should they have responded to the Son of God in their midst!

The woman expressed the common mindset of the day that a woman may be great if she bears a great son. By heaping blessedness on the mother, she was heaping blessedness on the child (Jesus).

Jesus did not contradict the woman (v. 27). Instead, he pointed to the real source of Mary's greatness. Mary was like every believer who experiences the saving power of God. Namely, she was blessed because she heard God's Word kept it (see Jas. 1:22).

seeks a sign. As opposed to simply hearing God's Word and keeping it (v. 28). They wanted something to prove Jesus' authenticity. evil. Jesus said it was wicked to reject God's Word, claiming to need something else. This was especially true considering all of the signs he has already performed (healings, miracles, etc.). Their request for a sign was simply an excuse for their refusal to repent before Jesus. sign of Jonah. See v. 30.

Jonah. An Old Testament prophet in Israel who was called to preach repentance to Gentiles (Jon. 1:1-2). Ninevites. People of Ninevah, the capital city of ancient Assyria. sign. At first, Jonah disobeyed God's call (Jon. 1:3-6). This resulted in him being cast off a boat into the sea during a storm (Jon. 1:7-16). God graciously and miraculously sent a great fish to swallow and rescue him from drowning (Jon. 1:17–2:10). After three days and three nights in the fish, Jonah was vomited onto dry land and answered God's call to preach to Ninevah (Jon. 1:17; 2:10–3:5). Jonah's rescue by the fish was a sign of repentance (Jon. 3:6-10). Son of Man. In the same way Jonah was in the fish for three days, so Jesus would be in the grave three days, then he would rise again (9:22; 18:33; Acts 10:39-40). This would be a sign for the people which authenticated his ministry (Matt. 12:40).

Queen of the South. The Queen of Sheba (modern Yemen) who visited King Solomon in Israel (1 Kgs. 10:1-13). She traveled far to encounter Solomon's wisdom and left praising God (1 Kgs. 10:9). judgment . . . condemn. On the last day, she will be witness against the Jews. She was a Gentile who praised God because of Solomon. Yet, Jesus is greater than Solomon. The Jews should have believed him.

men of Nineveh. See note on v. 30. Like the Queen of Sheba (v. 31), these Gentiles will be witnesses against ancient Israel at the judgment. They repented with sackcloth and ashes at Jonah's preaching (Jon. 3:6-9). The Jews should have repented at the preaching of Jesus who is greater than Jonah.

Luke 11:33-36 forms a chiastic structure (a writing style that uses a unique repetition pattern for clarification and emphasis) focusing upon light and darkness, good and evil:

• A. lighting a lamp . . . light (Luke 11:33)
  • B. (Luke 11:34)

    • i. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light (Luke 11:34)
      • ii. when it is bad, your body is full of darkness (Luke 11:34)

    • C. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness (Luke 11:35)
  • B'. (Luke 11:36)

    • i. if then your whole body is full of light (Luke 11:36)
      • ii. having no part dark (Luke 11:36)

    • i'. it will be wholly bright

• A'. a lamp with its rays gives you light (Luke 11:36)

This saying of Christ is covered in detail in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark (below). A one-room home is envisioned. A light covered with a bowl would be useless, but on a stand it would light the whole house. The truth of Jesus' preaching is evident and must not be hidden. The light of Jesus is meant to be placed in a prominent place in the house so that it gives light to everyone. The Christian life is to be one of walking in the light (1 John 1:7).

The second part of Jesus' saying refers to the fact that when the eye is functioning correctly, the body receives the full benefit of the light it takes in, or "is full of light" (cf. Psa. 18:28). Jesus is here speaking metaphorically of one's spiritual perception. The eye is the lamp of the body because it lets light in. This refers to allowing the mind, will, emotions, strength, and body to gather, understand, and respond to what the light reveals. If one's eyes are good, everything can function as it should. The whole being of the person is effected in a godly way! However, if these eyes are defective, the body is, as it were, "full of darkness." Everything is adversely affected. The people seeking a sign did not need more light; they needed to be healed of their blindness (2 Cor. 4:4) - as the Kingdom was already present. What God was doing in Jesus was plain enough.

God's word is like a lamp which gives light (Ps. 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:19). Jesus preached it everywhere, all the time. God's word is meant to be proclaimed, giving light to the whole world.

eye. One can have healthy eyes that are open wide and clear. However, one might also have bad eyes, which are weak or sick, and be unable to see well. Jesus used the eye as a picture for how one responds to the lamp of God's word (v. 33). light . . . darkness. Those who see and respond will be filled with spiritual light. Those who refuse to respond will be filled with wickedness. careful. The Jews were hearing Jesus' preaching, but refused to believe. Everyone must take care that they listen to God's word with faith and obedience (see 8:21; Matt. 7:21, 24-27; Rom. 2:13; Jas. 1:22-25).