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NASB | Matthew 12:41 "The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 12:41 "The men of Nineveh will stand up [as witnesses] at the judgment against this generation, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now, something greater than Jonah is here. [Jon 3:5] |
Bible Question:
I have read from many Greek Scholars that the word translated in this verse "at", which is the Greek preposition EIS, is always prospective. But some say that the usage of the word in this verse is retrospective/causal and represents an exception to the rule. My question is this: Does this verse say Nineveh repented BECAUSE of the preaching of Jonah (retrospective use of EIS), or does this verse say Nineveh repented INTO/TOWARD the preaching of Jonah [i.e. moving their lives toward the pattern outlined in Jonah's preaching]? Help me out please. Disciplerami |
Bible Answer: Greetings, Concerning the Matthew 12:41 statement that the people of Nineveh "repented at the preaching of Jonah." The proper understanding is that the people heard the message from Jonah and repented toward the direction of the message: hence, they repented at/unto the preaching of Jonah. This verse is often used to show that EIS in Acts 2:38 can be translated 'because'. They want to move forgiveness of sins ahead of baptism. But the preposition EIS does not permit it. EIS - is a preposition of the accusative case and points toward the direct object which receives the action of the nearest verb. True to form in both Matthew 12:41 and Acts 2:38 'EIS the preaching', accusative, direct object. 'EIS the forgiveness', accusative, direct object. The expected result of repentence was alignment with, or into, the message of Jonah. In Acts 2:38, the expected result of repentance and water baptism was forgiveness of sins. Disciplerami |