60 – Woes for Failure to Repent; Matthew 11:20-30

Matthew 11:20 Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His [a]miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the [b]miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in [c]sackcloth and ashes. 22 Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the [d]miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. 24 Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.”

25 At that [e]time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26 Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

28 “Come to Me, all [f]who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is [g]easy and My burden is light.”

Footnotes

a. Matthew 11:20 Or works of power

b. Matthew 11:21 Or works of power

c. Matthew 11:21 I.e. symbols of mourning

d. Matthew 11:23 Or works of power

e. Matthew 11:25 Or occasion

f. Matthew 11:28 Or who work to exhaustion

g. Matthew 11:30 Or comfortable, or pleasant

Commentary

It’s interesting that we hear a lot of these cities mentioned frequently, but not Chorazin. Chorazin was only about two and a half miles north of Capernaum, so Jesus certainly would have spent time there, teaching, healing, and performing miracles (as he makes allusion to in this passage). It was “known for the black, volcanic rock ruins of its synagogue. The famed cathedra Mosis, a carved judgment seat of Moses (compare Matt. 23:2), has been found there (in modern-day Khirbet Kerazeh)” (Word in Life Study Bible pg. 1651). Despite the amount of time Jesus must have spent there in order to perform so many signs and wonders, we do not hear the city mentioned by name in the gospel accounts at all, except for the condemnation Jesus pronounces on it in Matthew 11:20 and Luke 10:13. In Luke, Jesus speaks almost the identical phrases to what we see here in Matthew, but because the context is completely different, it made sense to leave the other passage for another study.

In contrast to Chorazin, Tyre and Sidon have been mentioned many times, generally as examples of immoral living. We discussed in a previous study that many people from these cities were attracted by Jesus’s healing and were being converted. Jesus points out that if the entire cities realized the error of their ways, they would demonstrate their grief by wearing sackcloth and ashes (a common outward symbol of mourning) because they would be horrified at how much damage their immorality had wrought.

Even Capernaum, which has been called Jesus’s own city, does not escape wrath. When Jesus says Capernaum will descend to Hades, this is an allusion to Isaiah 14:13,15, where the same curse was “spoken of the king of Babylon and probably refers to Satan himself” (Nelson KJV Bible Commentary pg. 1196). This is a harsh sentence for the people of the town, but Jesus had so consistently made His deity obvious through His teaching and miracles that they, of all people, should have been overcome by the truth, instead of actively resisting it. It should have given his audience pause when he placed their city below even Sodom, which was made famous in the story of Lot. The Old Testament gives a descriptive history of Sodom’s sins in Genesis 19:4-5 and Ezekiel 16:49-50, and we see the New Testament reaffirm these in Jude 7 (see scripture references below). But these sins did not compare to the sin of denying the Messiah.

In particular, Jesus points out that the intellectual class seems to be the one missing the point, whereas the uneducated labor class is inclined to believe and accept Him. As Jesus praises God the Father for His superior plan, Jesus goes on to make an observation that I had never fully taken in from verse 27. I have often heard the phrase, “no one knows the Father except the Son,” but I don’t think teachers commonly cite the latter part of the verse, which says, “and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” This implies a shared ownership of the outcome, between Father and Son, that Jesus can elect to reveal the Father to whom He pleases.

Despite this statement of favoritism toward some and condemnation of others, Jesus still encourages those who will to come to Him. When Jesus says His yoke is easy, this distinction is made by contrast with the Pharisees’ teaching, which was extremely tedious, as well as Roman rule, which was felt to be particularly oppressive. He gives His audience hope and expresses an openness and willingness to redeem any who are prepared to apply themselves to His teaching. When Jesus further reports, “you shall find rest for your souls,” this recalls Jeremiah 6:16, which says, “This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: Where is the good way? Then walk in it and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’” This brings the lesson back full-circle. The audience is at a crossroads, and they can choose the good way, but most will say, “We will not walk in it.”

While this passage has a grim outlook for many, I saw a glimmer of encouragement. So often, I want to throw up my hands and accept that my habits and inclinations will always inform my actions, no matter how I try. However, this passage reinforces the notion that I have a choice. In that split second when my rage swells against my children or husband, or when my tongue lifts to blurt out some indiscretion, I can choose to remember my Lord’s will, instead of my own. Resigning myself to my generational bonds is equal to the stubborn statement, “I will not walk in the good way.” I can find rest for my soul by making a different choice.

Find the next post here https://onthepath.online/2020/09/22/jesuss-feet-anointed/

Scripture References

Verse 20

Luke 10:13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

2 Corinthians 12:21 I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.

Verse 21

Joel 3:4 Now what have you against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia–are you rendering Me a recompense? But if you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense on your own heads.

Amos 1:9 This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Tyre, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom and broke a covenant of brotherhood.

Matthew 15:21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.

Mark 3:8 Jerusalem, Idumea, the region beyond the Jordan, and the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon. The large crowd came to Him when they heard what great things He was doing.

Mark 6:45 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd.

Mark 7:24 Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre. Not wanting anyone to know He was there, He entered a house, but was unable to escape their notice.

Mark 7:31 Then Jesus left the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis.

Mark 8:22 When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.

Luke 4:26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to the widow of Zarephath in Sidon.

Luke 6:17 Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of His disciples was there, along with a great number of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon.

Luke 9:10 Then the apostles returned and reported to Jesus all that they had done. Taking them away privately, He withdrew to a town called Bethsaida.

Luke 10:13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

Luke 10:14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

John 1:44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter.

John 12:21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.”

Acts 12:20 Now Herod was in a furious dispute with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they convened before him. Having secured the support of Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their region depended on the king’s country for food.

Acts 27:3 The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration, allowing him to visit his friends and receive their care.

Revelation 6:12 And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red,

Revelation 11:3 And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

Verse 22

Joel 3:4 Now what have you against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia–are you rendering Me a recompense? But if you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense on your own heads.

Amos 1:9 This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Tyre, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they delivered up a whole congregation of exiles to Edom and broke a covenant of brotherhood.

Matthew 10:15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

Revelation 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.

Verse 23

Isaiah 14:13 You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north.

Isaiah 14:15 But you will be brought down to Sheol to the far reaches of the Pit.

Ezekiel 16:48 As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did as you and your daughters have done.

Ezekiel 26:20 then I will bring you down with those who descend to the Pit, to the people of antiquity. I will make you dwell in the earth below like the ancient ruins, with those who descend to the Pit, so that you will no longer be inhabited or set in splendor in the land of the living.

Ezekiel 31:14 This happened so that no other trees by the waters would become great in height and set their tops among the clouds, and no other well-watered trees would reach them in height. For they have all been consigned to death, to the depths of the earth, among the mortals who descend to the Pit.’

Ezekiel 32:18 “Son of man, wail for the multitudes of Egypt, and consign to the depths of the earth both her and the daughters of the mighty nations, with those who descend to the Pit:

Ezekiel 32:24 Elam is there with all her multitudes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword–those who went down uncircumcised to the earth below, who once spread their terror in the land of the living. They bear their disgrace with those who descend to the Pit.

Matthew 4:13 Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,

Matthew 10:15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Luke 10:15 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades!

Luke 16:23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham from afar, with Lazarus by his side.

Acts 2:27 because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

Acts 2:31 Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay.

2 Peter 2:6 if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly;

Revelation 1:18 the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.

Revelation 6:8 Then I looked and saw a pale horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth.

Revelation 20:13 The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.

Verse 24

Jeremiah 23:14 And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”

Ezekiel 16:48 As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did as you and your daughters have done.

Matthew 10:15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Luke 10:12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

Verse 25

Job 37:24 Therefore, men fear Him, for He is not partial to the wise in heart.”

Psalm 8:2 From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.

Matthew 21:16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered, “have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”

Luke 10:21 At that time, Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.

Luke 10:22 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”

Luke 22:42 “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

John 11:41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

John 12:27 Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.

John 12:28 Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

Acts 17:24 The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.

1 Corinthians 1:26 Brothers, consider the time of your calling: Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were powerful; not many were of noble birth.

1 Corinthians 2:10 But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Verse 26

Luke 22:42 “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

John 11:41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

John 12:27 Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour.

John 12:28 Father, glorify Your name!” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

Verse 27

Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Luke 10:22 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”

John 3:35 The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in His hands.

John 7:29 but I know Him, because I am from Him and He sent Me.”

John 10:15 just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.

John 13:3 Jesus knew that the Father had delivered all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was returning to God.

John 17:2 For You granted Him authority over all humanity, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him.

John 17:25 Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me.

1 Corinthians 15:27 For “God has put everything under His feet.” Now when it says that everything has been put under Him, this clearly does not include the One who put everything under Him.

Verse 28

Isaiah 28:12 to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen.

Jeremiah 31:25 for I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak.”

John 7:37 On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.

Acts 20:35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

Verse 29

Numbers 12:3 Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.

Psalm 116:7 Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

Proverbs 3:17 Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.

Isaiah 28:12 to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen.

Isaiah 29:19 The humble will increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: Where is the good way? Then walk in it and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’

John 13:15 I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you.

2 Corinthians 10:1 Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you–I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.

Ephesians 4:20 But this is not the way you came to know Christ.

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:

1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps:

1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked.

Verse 30

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome,

Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.

Commentary

Genesis 19:4 Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; 5 and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.”

Ezekiel 16:49 Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. 50 Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it.

Jude 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.