Matthew 11 21

Matthew 11:21 kjv

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 11:21 nkjv

"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 11:21 niv

"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 in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 11:21 esv

"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 11:21 nlt

"What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse.

Matthew 11 verses

Matthew 11 21 Meaning

Matthew 11:21 reveals Jesus' profound sorrow and prophetic condemnation against Chorazin and Bethsaida, two Galilean cities where He had performed numerous powerful miracles. Despite witnessing undeniable divine acts, these cities remained unrepentant. Jesus declares that even pagan cities like Tyre and Sidon, notorious for their wickedness and idolatry, would have demonstrated immediate and deep repentance if they had experienced the same divine power. The verse underscores the principle that greater spiritual light and privilege lead to greater accountability and severer judgment for unbelief.

Matthew 11 21 Context

Matthew 11:21 is situated within Jesus' active ministry in Galilee, following His discourse about John the Baptist and the generation's response to both John and Himself (Mt 11:7-19). This passage, known as the "Woes to Unrepentant Cities," directly follows Jesus' assertion that the "violent" (zealous ones) take the kingdom by force, implying a strong contrast to the apathy and hardness of heart He observes in Chorazin and Bethsaida. The preceding verses lament how the people of that generation neither accepted John's ascetic message nor Jesus' joyful proclamation (Mt 11:16-19). Verse 21 then introduces a severe prophetic denouncement, setting the stage for the wider pronouncement of judgment on cities that rejected Him despite miraculous displays of divine power (leading to Capernaum in Mt 11:23-24). The passage is thus part of Jesus' critical evaluation of Israel's spiritual condition, even amidst the peak of His Galilean ministry, leading into His invitation to those who labor and are heavy laden.

Matthew 11 21 Word analysis

• Woe (οὐαί - ouai): This Greek interjection signifies a strong expression of lament, condemnation, and dire prophetic judgment. It's more than sorrow; it carries the weight of a divine pronouncement of impending doom or great trouble. Used often in the Old Testament prophets (e.g., Isa 5; Hab 2) against nations or individuals for their sin and unrighteousness, its use by Jesus connects Him to the tradition of God's authoritative prophetic spokesmen. It underscores the severity of the coming judgment.
• Chorazin: A Galilean town north of Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee. Although not explicitly mentioned elsewhere in the Gospels as a place of major ministry or miracle, its inclusion in this "woe" strongly implies Jesus spent significant time there and performed powerful works. Its archaeological remains suggest it was a prosperous Jewish village.
• Bethsaida: Another Galilean town, identified as Bethsaida Julias, on the eastern side of the Jordan River's entrance into the Sea of Galilee. It was the home of apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip (Jn 1:44, 12:21). Jesus performed a major miracle there (healing the blind man, Mk 8:22-26) and was active in the region. Its privilege of having apostles as residents and direct witnessing of Jesus' power made its impenitence particularly grievous.
• For if: Introduces a counterfactual conditional statement, emphasizing the hypothetical situation where events did not happen as they did. It highlights a stark spiritual comparison.
• mighty works (δυνάμεις - dynameis): Literally "powers" or "works of power." Refers specifically to miracles, supernatural acts, and displays of divine capability. These were not just wondrous deeds but powerful manifestations of God's presence and kingdom. The term emphasizes the undeniable, potent nature of the evidence given.
• done in you: Indicates that Chorazin and Bethsaida were the direct beneficiaries and eyewitnesses of these divine powerful works. They experienced them firsthand, removing any excuse of ignorance or distance.
• had been done in Tyre and Sidon: A striking and provocative comparison. Tyre and Sidon were ancient Phoenician city-states, known for their commercial wealth, paganism (worship of Baal and Asherah), and historical antagonism toward Israel (e.g., in their alliance against Israel, 1 Kgs 16:31; Joel 3:4-8). As Gentile, ungodly cities, they stood in stark contrast to the covenant-privileged Jewish cities. Jesus' hypothetical claim posits a stunning spiritual reversal.
• they would have repented (μετενόησαν - metenoēsan): "Repented" signifies a radical change of mind, purpose, and direction; a turning from sin and toward God. It implies sorrow for past wrongs leading to a genuine amendment of life.
• long ago: Emphasizes the immediate and enduring nature of their hypothetical repentance, suggesting a greater spiritual sensitivity or responsiveness than the hardened Galilean towns.
• in sackcloth and ashes: A potent symbol throughout the Bible of deep grief, humility, contrition, and earnest repentance (e.g., Jon 3:6 for Nineveh, Dan 9:3). Sackcloth was coarse fabric worn by mourners or those in distress; ashes were sprinkled on the head or sat in. This act signifies public self-abasement, acknowledgment of guilt, and an earnest appeal for God's mercy. It implies profound sincerity and thoroughness in their turning from sin.

Matthew 11 21 Bonus section

The lament over Chorazin and Bethsaida points to the persistent theme of Israel's spiritual blindness and rejection of God's messengers throughout biblical history (Acts 7:51-53). It also prefigures the shifting of the Kingdom's focus from a largely unreceptive Israel to the Gentiles, a theme more explicitly developed in the Book of Acts. The specificity of naming these two relatively lesser-known Galilean towns, rather than major Jewish centers, suggests that Jesus' ministry was widespread, reaching into various local communities, and His rejection was not just in Jerusalem or by the religious elite, but widespread among common folk. Archeological findings, ironically, show Chorazin and Bethsaida were not necessarily grand cities, further highlighting the spiritual opportunity they squandered over any physical renown they may have possessed. Their judgment is tied directly to the quantity and quality of divine interaction they personally experienced.

Matthew 11 21 Commentary

Matthew 11:21 is a powerful lament that underscores a critical principle in Jesus' teaching: increased spiritual revelation demands increased responsibility. Chorazin and Bethsaida, unlike pagan cities, had the immense privilege of Jesus' personal presence and witnessing His divine "mighty works." These were not mere demonstrations but direct evidences of God's kingdom breaking into the world, confirming Jesus' identity and message. Their refusal to repent despite such undeniable proof marked a profound spiritual hardenedness, a blindness to what was plainly evident.

Jesus' pronouncement of "Woe" is not a mere curse but a prophetic denunciation, a declaration of divine judgment against spiritual indifference and unbelief in the face of truth. By comparing these Jewish cities to Tyre and Sidon, Jesus highlights the paradoxical truth that Gentiles, historically outside the covenant and associated with wickedness, would have been more spiritually responsive than His own people. This startling contrast serves as a severe indictment, implying that the sin of the unrepentant Galilean cities was greater precisely because their light was greater. They possessed not only the direct revelation of Jesus but also the inherited prophetic tradition of the Old Testament. The phrase "sackcloth and ashes" vividly paints a picture of the profound, visible, and comprehensive repentance that was due, but conspicuously absent. This verse sets the stage for the upcoming judgment, emphasizing that those who receive the most will be held to the highest account (Lk 12:48), and their rejection leaves them "without excuse."