“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.
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Luke 10:13-15 sits inside this longer paragraph.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
Parallel Translations
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“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.
You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.
-
Wo be to the Chorazin: wo be to the Bethsaida. For yf the miracles had bene done in Tyre and Sidon which have bene done in you they had a greate whyle agone repeted sitting in heere and asshes.
Neverthelesse it shalbe easier for Tyre and Sidon at the iudgement then for you.
And thou Capernau which art exalted to heaven shalt be thrust doune to hell.
Show all 3 translations
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Woe be to thee, Chorazin: woe be to thee, Beth-saida: for if the miracles had bene done in Tyrus and Sidon, which haue bene done in you, they had a great while agone repented, sitting in sackecloth and ashes.
Therefore it shall be easier for Tyrus, and Sidon, at the iudgement, then for you.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heauen, shalt be thrust downe to hell.
Cross-references (41)
- Isaiah 14:13-15 (v15) You said in your heart, “I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly,…
- Isaiah 23:1-18 (v13) The burden of Tyre. Howl, you ships of Tarshish! For it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in. From the land of Kittim…
- Matthew 4:13 (v15) Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
- 2 Peter 2:4 (v15) For if God didn’t spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness to be reserved for…
- Ezekiel 26:1–28:26 (v13) In the eleventh year, in the first of the month, Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, “Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem,…
Show all 41 cross-references
- Joel 3:4-8 (v13) “Yes, and what are you to me, Tyre, and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Will you repay me? And if you repay me, I will swiftly and…
- Matthew 11:20-23 (v13) Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin!…
- Matthew 11:23 (v15) You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in…
- Luke 13:28 (v15) There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, and yourselves being…
- Luke 12:47-48 (v14) That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes, but he who didn’t…
- John 15:22-25 (v14) If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me, hates my…
- Acts 28:25-28 (v13) When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the…
- Romans 2:1 (v14) Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who…
- Genesis 11:4 (v15) They said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, lest we be…
- Deuteronomy 1:28 (v15) Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our heart melt, saying, ‘The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and…
- Job 42:6 (v13) Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
- Isaiah 5:14 (v15) Therefore Sheol has enlarged its desire, and opened its mouth without measure; and their glory, their multitude, their pomp, and he who…
- Isaiah 61:3 (v13) to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the…
- Jeremiah 51:53 (v15) Though Babylon should mount up to the sky, and though she should fortify the height of her strength, yet destroyers will come to her from…
- Ezekiel 3:6-7 (v13) not to many peoples of a strange speech and of a hard language, whose words you can’t understand. Surely, if I sent you to them, they would…
- Ezekiel 26:20 (v15) then I will bring you down with those who descend into the pit, to the people of old time, and will make you dwell in the lower parts of…
- Ezekiel 28:12-14 (v15) “Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and tell him, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “You were the seal of full measure, full of…
- Ezekiel 31:18 (v15) “ ‘To whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? Yet you will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the…
- Ezekiel 32:18 (v15) “Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her and the daughters of the famous nations, to the lower parts of…
- Ezekiel 32:20 (v15) They will fall among those who are slain by the sword. She is delivered to the sword. Draw her away with all her multitudes.
- Ezekiel 32:27 (v15) They will not lie with the mighty who are fallen of the uncircumcised, who have gone down to Sheol with their weapons of war, and have laid…
- Amos 9:2-3 (v15) Though they dig into Sheol, there my hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, there I will bring them down. Though they…
- Obadiah 1:4 (v15) Though you mount on high as the eagle, and though your nest is set among the stars, I will bring you down from there,” says Yahweh.
- Matthew 10:28 (v15) Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body…
- Mark 8:22-26 (v13) He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him. He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought…
- Luke 7:1-2 (v15) After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. A certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him,…
- Luke 9:10-17 (v13) The apostles, when they had returned, told him what things they had done. He took them and withdrew apart to a desert region of a city…
- John 3:5-6 (v13) Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom. That which is born…
- Romans 2:27 (v14) Won’t the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of…
- Romans 9:29-33 (v13) As Isaiah has said before, “Unless the Lord of Armies had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and would have been made like…
- Romans 11:8-11 (v13) According as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this…
- 1 Timothy 4:2 (v13) through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron,
- Amos 3:2 (v14) “I have only chosen you of all the families of the earth. Therefore I will punish you for all of your sins.”
- Luke 16:23 (v15) In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom.
- John 3:19 (v14) This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil.
- Revelation 11:3 (v13) I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (19 sources)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On v13 13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida!…
13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
Ver. 13. See Mat 11:21.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On v13 See Poole on "Mat 11:21", and following verses to…
See Poole on "Mat 11:21", and following verses to Mat 11:24.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v13 These cities in Galilee, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, having…
These cities in Galilee, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, having been the place where Christ preached and wrought his miracles, they have a woe denounced here against them for their contempt of Christ, and the offers of his grace: Woe unto thee, Chorazin, etc. The higher a people rise under the means, the lower they fall if they miscarry. They that have been nearest to conversion, being not converted, shall have the greatest condemnation when they are judged. Capernaum’s sentence will exceed Sodom’s for severity, because she excelled Sodom in the enjoyment of means and mercy.
Observe here, 1. Capernaum’s privilege enjoyed; She was lifted up to heaven; that is, enjoyed privileges above other places, namely, the presence, preaching, and miracles of our Saviour.
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Observe, 2. Capernaum’s doom denounced: Thou shalt be thrust down to hell; that is, thy condition shall be sadder than those that never heard of a Saviour; even Tyre and Sidon, Sodom and Gomorrah, those rude and barbarous nations, out of the pale of the church, shall be in an easier state and condition, than those that have enjoyed gospel ordinances and church privileges, but not improved them.
Learn hence,
1. That gospel ordinances enjoyed, are a mighty honor and advancement to the poorest persons and obscurest places: Thou, Capernaum, art exalted to heaven.
2. That gospel ordinances and church privileges enjoyed, but not improved, provoke Almighty God to inflict the sorest judgments upon a people: Thou that art exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to hell.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv13–15 Woe unto thee Chorazin,.... See Gill on Mat 11:21.
Woe unto thee Chorazin,.... See Gill on Mat 11:21.
Woe unto thee Bethsaida; a city of Galilee, a fishing town, from whence it has its name, and was the native place of those two fishermen, Peter and Andrew: very likely Chorazin was near it, since they are here, and in Matthew, mentioned together; and woe is pronounced upon them both for their impenitence and unbelief, which were attended with aggravating circumstances:
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for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you; meaning both the ministry of the word by Christ, which was with power and authority, and the miracles of Christ, which were the works of almighty power, and showed him to be the mighty God: these were not done in Tyre and Sidon, cities in Phoenicia; for though our Lord was on the borders of those places, yet not in them, they being Gentile cities, to which he was not sent, and in which he did not preach, nor do miracles; but he did both in Bethsaida and Chorazin, and they repented not of their sins; nor did they embrace his doctrine, though confirmed by miracles; whereas, in all likelihood, humanly speaking, had the inhabitants of Tyre and Sidon had the like advantages,
they had a great while ago repented: they would have repented immediately, it would have been soon visible in them, of which they would have given proof, by
sitting in sackcloth and ashes; which was an outward token of repentance, used by penitent sinners, as by the Ninevites, and others. The same things are said at another time, and on another occasion, as here; See Gill on Mat 11:21, Mat 11:22, Mat 11:23, Mat 11:24
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v13 Woe to thee, Chorazin - The same declaration Christ…
Woe to thee, Chorazin - The same declaration Christ had made some time before. By repeating it now, he warns the seventy not to lose time by going to those cities. Matt. xi, 21.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv13, 15 Verse 13. Wo unto thee, Chorazin!] See on Mt…
Verse 13. Wo unto thee, Chorazin!] See on Mt 11:21-24.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v13 Luk 10:13. Wo unto thee, Chorazin, &c. — “Having…
Luk 10:13. Wo unto thee, Chorazin, &c. — “Having mentioned the punishment of those cities which should reject his ministers, it naturally brought to his mind the sad state and punishment of the cities where he himself had preached most frequently, namely, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. For, notwithstanding he had often resided in those cities, and performed many miracles before the inhabitants of them, they had continued impenitent. Wherefore, because he was never to preach to them any more, and because he knew how great their punishment would be, in the overflowing tenderness of his soul he affectionately lamented their obstinacy, which he foresaw would draw down on them the heaviest judgments. The same declaration Christ had made some time before. By repeating it now he warns the seventy not to lose time by going to those cities. At the same time, this part of his discourse was well calculated to comfort these disciples, now sent out, under the ill usage they might meet with; the preaching of Christ himself had often been unacceptable and unsuccessful, with respect to many of his hearers, and therefore it was not much to be wondered at if theirs should prove so likewise.” Considering the affectionate temper of our Lord, it is no wonder that he should renew his lamentation over those unhappy places where he had so intimately conversed; and that he should do it in such words as these, so well calculated to alarm and impress all that should hear or read them. O! that they might now have their due weight with those who might pass them over too slightly, when they occurred before in Mat 11:20-24. O! that every impenitent creature who reads them might know that the sentence of his own condemnation is now before his eyes! See Macknight and Doddridge, and the notes on Mat 11:20-24.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v13 See the notes at Mat 11:21-24.
See the notes at Mat 11:21-24.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v15 And thou, Capharnaum, &c. Capharnaum is situated on the…
And thou, Capharnaum, &c. Capharnaum is situated on the western coast of the sea of Tiberias. Christ having left Nazareth, made the former city the usual place of his abode. There was no city in which he had preached so much, or wrought so many miracles. On this account, he said it was exalted to the heavens; but for its incredulity he threatens it shall be cast down even unto hell. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv13, 15 13. Woe… Chorazin… Bethsaida—As Jesus has just left these…
13. Woe… Chorazin… Bethsaida—As Jesus has just left these cities, this is the last sad reference he makes to them. It expresses in language what the wiping the dust from the feet does in action. And this verse indicates that the sending forth of the seventy could have been on no later occasion.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv13–15 13. Woe unto thee, Chorazin] The mention of this…
13. Woe unto thee, Chorazin] The mention of this town is very interesting because this is the only occasion (Mat_11:21) on which the name occurs, and we are thus furnished with a very striking proof of the fragmentariness of the Gospels. The very site of Chorazin was long unknown. It has now been discovered at Keraseh, the ruins of an old town on a wady, two miles inland from Tel Hum (Capernaum). At a little distance these ruins look like mere rude heaps of basaltic stones.
Bethsaida] See on Luk_9:10.
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mighty works] Literally, “powers.”
they had a great while ago repented] like Nineveh (Jon_3:5-10), “Surely had I sent thee unto them they would have hearkened unto thee,” Eze_3:6; comp. Jas_4:17.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On v13 (13-16) Woe unto thee, Chorazin!—See Notes on Mat_11:21, where…
(13-16) Woe unto thee, Chorazin!—See Notes on Mat_11:21, where the words appear as spoken at an earlier period. We have again to choose between the two alternative views, (1) that the words were spoken but once, and floated in men’s memories without any very definite note of time or place, and were wrongly placed by one, or, possibly, by both Evangelists; or (2) that they were repeated on different occasions. The latter seems, on the whole, by far the more probable.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv13–15 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for…
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. In St. Matthew"s Gospel, (Mat_11:20) where the woe of the fair lake-cities is announced in similar language, the "woe" is introduced with the words," Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done." Now, we have no record of any miracles having been worked at Chorazin, the first mentioned. But these cities were in the immediate vicinity of Capernaum, where for a length-cued period our Lord principally resided. He was, no doubt, during the Galilaean ministry, constantly in one or other of those bright, busy cities built on the shores of the Lake of Gennesaret. This bears out St. John"s statement (Joh_20:30) concerning the many unrecorded miracles of Christ, and gives us some notion of the numerous events in the life left without mention; much must have happened in Choraziu to have called forth this stern saying. Late research thinks it probable that the site of Chorazin has been discovered near Capernaum; the ruins, however, at a little distance, look but a mere rough heap of stones. A great theological truth is urged in this saying of the Master. Men will be judged not only for what they have done or failed to do, but their opportunities, their circumstances, their chances in life, will be, before they are judged, strictly taken into account.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v13 Woe unto thee
Luk_10:13-15
Woe unto thee
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The sentence of Chorazin
We may conceive some inhabitant of these Jewish towns demanding with astonishment, How can these things be?
Shall we who are the children of Abraham be rejected, and the heathen be preferred in our stead? The Almighty Judge, we may hence collect, in the apportioning of rewards and punishments, regards not the actual amount of profligacy or virtue, but takes into consideration also the means of improvement enjoyed, the kind of information and light vouchsafed. He could estimate, in Tyre and Sidon, debased as they were by ignorance and idolatry, a disposition not indifferent to those proofs of Divine revelation, which to Bethsaida and Chorazin were exhibited in vain. He judges according to that hidden temper, according to that inward disposition; not by the acts committed, but by the circumstances also under which they are done. Nay, He judges of a degree of faith never actually called into existence.
I. The first conclusion to be drawn from the text thus explained relates to the future condition of those millions of mankind who depart this life in ignorance of a Saviours name. The sacrifice of Christ made atonement for the whole race of mankind. And though so many millions are ignorant of His name, yet in some of them is discerned a spirit which would enable them to have repented at His preaching. By that spirit it may be hereafter determined whether or no the merits of Jesus Christ are imparted for the salvation of their souls.
II. Secondly, we may learn, from this view of the text, the probability of our being greatly mistaken in our views of the future judgment.
III. And here, thirdly, it may be observed, that mankind are too ready to draw hasty conclusions, from anything which they can interpret as a manifest interference of Divine Providence for the punishment of sin.
IV. Such, too, let us in the last place remember, is the sentence recorded against every one of us ourselves, if we know these things and do them not; if we acknowledge these mighty works and yet repent not. Let us not then be deceived by the blessings of outward prosperity. They form part of our trial. (C. Girdlestone, M. A.)
The danger of impenitence where the gospel is preached
I. I observe from this discourse of our Saviour that miracles are of great force and efficacy to bring men to repentance.
II. I observe, likewise, from our Saviours discourse, that God is not always obliged to work miracles for the conversion of sinners.
III. I observe farther, from our Saviours discourse, that the external means of repentance which God affords to men, do suppose an inward grace of God accompanying them, sufficiently enabling me, to repent, if it be not their own fault; I say, a sufficient grace of God accompanying the outward means of repentance, till, by our wilful and obstinate neglect and resistance, and opposition of this grace, we provoke God to withdraw it from the means, or else to withdraw both the grace and the means from us: otherwise impenitence, after such external means afforded, would be no new and special fault.
IV. I observe from this discourse of our Saviours, that an irresistible degree of grace is not necessary to repentance, nor commonly afforded to those who do repent.
V. I observe from the main scope of our Saviours discourse, that the sins and impenitence of men receive their aggravation, and consequently shall have their punishment proportionable, to the opportunities and means of repentance which those persons have enjoyed and neglected. For what is here said of miracles, is by equality of reason likewise true of all other advantages and means of repentance and salvation.
VI. Sixth and last observation, and which naturally follows from the former, is this: that the case of those who are impenitent under the gospel is of all others the most dangerous, and their damnation shall be heaviest and most severe. (Archbishop Tillotson.)
Chorazin
It stands in the midst of such desolation as must be seen to be believed. Millions of boulders cover the ground everywhere as far as the eye can reach. The terrible volcanic energy in this district ceased long before the historic period--how long no one can tell--and hence the aspect of the landscape must have been the same in Christs day as at present. One very interesting feature of the ruins is that many of the dwelling-houses are still tolerably perfect, though in the days of St. Jerome (A.D. 331-420), Chorazin had long been deserted. They have stood tenantless for at least 1,500 years, and may well have been standing in the days when our Lord from time to time wandered among them, doing those mighty works which were yet, as at Bethsaida and Capernaum, ineffectual to bring the population to thoughtfulness and repentance. It helps one to realize better the daily life of our Saviour, to see in what poor barren spots He laboured; following the lost sheep of the house of Israel to such a forbidding wilderness. (C. Geikie, D. D.)
The guilt of a privileged people
Max Muller in the preface to his essays tells us of a Hindu who, having been converted in Benares, greatly wished to visit England. He had heard that it was a land of Bibles, a land of preaching, a land of churches and chapels, and he longed to see it. He expected to find the Christian land Christ-like. At length he arrived there. Max Muller adds that never shall he forget the deep dejection of the man when he discovered the Christianity of Europe to be so unlike that of the New Testament. In fact, nothing but keeping to the teachings of the Bible kept him from an utter relapse into idolatry.
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On v13 13–15. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! See notes on Matt.…
13–15. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! See notes on Matt. 11:21–24. It is thought that this is a repetition of the words used on a former occasion, in order to emphasize the sin of rejecting the messengers of the Lord.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v13 See notes, Mat 11:20; Mar 8:23 (See Scofield "Mat…
Woe
See notes, Mat 11:20; Mar 8:23 (See Scofield "Mat 11:20") See Scofield "Mar 8:23"
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v13 Woes upon several cities of Galilee:
Woes upon several cities of Galilee:
v. 13. Woe unto thee, Chorazin! Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
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v. 14. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the Judgment than for you.
v. 15. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
v. 16. He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me.
See Mat 11:21-23. The question of the guilt of those that reject the Gospel calls to the mind of Jesus the behavior of the cities of Galilee in whose neighborhood some of His greatest works had been done. He had come to them with the fullness of His love and mercy, and they had rejected Him. Chorazin and Bethsaida were on the shores of Lake Gennesaret, almost side by side. Great miracles had been done in their midst, and the people had been willing enough to be entertained, but the words of eternal love out of the mouth of Jesus had made no impression upon them. Under like circumstances Tyre and Sidon, the heathen cities whom the Jews despised for their idolatrous practices and beliefs, would long since have repented, clothed in a garment of sack-cloth, with ashes on the head. And therefore Tyre and Sidon, to whom His grace had not been revealed in this measure, would receive greater consideration on the Day of Judgment than these cities of Galilee. And Capernaum also, which had been lifted up to heaven by the fact that Jesus made this city His headquarters during His Galilean ministry, would receive the full measure of His wrath on the last day and be forcefully thrust down to hell. Note: There is a word of warning here for all Christians. They have Christ in their midst for years, decades, and generations, in the printed and in the spoken Word of the Gospel. But how often, is Jesus neglected and overlooked in the Christian homes! No reading of Scriptures alone or in family worship; no regular attendance at church;—there is danger of falling into the condemnation of the Galilean cities. And this applies also to the treatment accorded to the messengers of Christ. In hearing, -them we hear Christ, for they are His ambassadors and plenipotentiaries; but also, in despising them, in repudiating the Gospel of mercy, we repudiate Christ, of whose salvation it preaches; and in despising Christ, we despise His heavenly Father, partly because He is sent forth by the Father with full power, partly because He is one with the Father. Here is food for serious thought!
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!
Jesus speaks as if the people of the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida are there listening to him, but they are not. (See: Apostrophe and How to Translate Names and Metonymy)
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If the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon
Jesus is describing a situation that could have happened in the past but did not. AT: "If someone had performed the miracles for the people of Tyre and Sidon that I performed for you" (See: Hypothetical Situations and Active or Passive)
they would have repented long ago, sitting
"the wicked people who lived there would have shown that they were sorry for their sins by sitting"
sitting in sackcloth and ashes
"wearing sackcloth and sitting in ashes"
But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you
It may be helpful to clearly state the reason for their judgment. AT: "But because you did not repent and believe in me even though you saw me do miracles, God will judge you more severely than he will judge the people of Tyre and Sidon" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Metonymy)
at the judgment
"on that final day when God judges everyone"
You, Capernaum
Jesus now speaks to the people in the city of Capernaum as if they are listening to him, but they are not. (See: Apostrophe and Metonymy)
do you think you will be exalted to heaven?
Jesus uses a question to rebuke the people of Capernaum for their pride. AT: "you will certainly not go up to heaven!" or "God will not honor you!" (See: Rhetorical Question and Active or Passive)
exalted to heaven
This expression means "greatly exalted."
you will be brought down to Hades
This can be stated in active form. AT: "you will go down to Hades" or "God will send you to Hades" (See: Active or Passive)
translationWords
woe
might
works
Tyre
Sidon
repent
sackcloth
judge
Capernaum
exalt
heaven
Hades
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv13, 15 10:13 Korazin and Bethsaida, two of the towns in…
10:13 Korazin and Bethsaida, two of the towns in which Jesus ministered, were located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. • Tyre and Sidon were Gentile cities in Phoenicia, on the Mediterranean coast north of Galilee. The prophets had pronounced messages of judgment against their wickedness (Isa 23; Ezek 28).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.