Matthew 11 23

Matthew 11:23 kjv

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Matthew 11:23 nkjv

And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Matthew 11:23 niv

And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.

Matthew 11:23 esv

And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Matthew 11:23 nlt

"And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. For if the miracles I did for you had been done in wicked Sodom, it would still be here today.

Matthew 11 verses

Matthew 11 23 Meaning

Matthew 11:23 pronounces a severe judgment upon Capernaum, the city where Jesus based much of His ministry and performed numerous powerful miracles. Despite being privileged with the direct presence and divine revelation of Jesus through His mighty works, Capernaum remained unrepentant. Jesus states that this refusal to believe, in the face of such clear evidence, rendered Capernaum's spiritual guilt even greater than that of ancient Sodom, a city famously destroyed for its profound wickedness. Thus, Capernaum, which was effectively "exalted" by Jesus' presence, would be humbled to the lowest depths of judgment.

Matthew 11 23 Context

Matthew chapter 11 begins with John the Baptist's questioning of Jesus' identity, leading to Jesus' powerful affirmation of John's role as a prophet. Following this, Jesus expresses lament over the unresponsiveness of the generation, comparing them to children unwilling to play any game. This leads directly to His pronouncements of woe against Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida (Mt 11:20-24). These were cities in Galilee where Jesus had performed most of His "mighty works" (miracles) and spent considerable time teaching, indicating their privileged position as eyewitnesses to His divine power and authority. Capernaum, in particular, was often referred to as Jesus' "own city" (Mt 9:1), serving as the center of His Galilean ministry. The pronouncements in Matthew 11:23 highlight the principle that greater privilege in experiencing divine truth and power brings greater accountability, leading to more severe judgment for those who remain hardened in heart.

Matthew 11 23 Word analysis

• "And you,": A direct, personal address, signaling immediate accountability and sorrow. Jesus singles out Capernaum for its profound responsibility.
• "Capernaum" (Καπερναούμ, Kapharnaoum): This prosperous fishing and trade hub was Jesus' primary base of operations during His Galilean ministry. It was witness to unparalleled divine activity—countless healings, exorcisms, and teachings directly from the Son of God. Its physical and spiritual proximity to Jesus meant exceptional privilege.
• "will you be exalted to heaven?" (μὴ ἕως οὐρανοῦ ὑψωθήσῃ; mē heōs ouranou hypsōthēsē?): This is a rhetorical question, laden with irony and foreboding. "Exalted to heaven" indicates an extraordinary degree of privilege, perhaps even a perceived sense of spiritual superiority or importance due to the manifestation of God's presence in their midst. The question anticipates and highlights the inverse fate that awaits. This echoes ancient prophecies against cities that exult in their own status.
• "You will descend to Hades" (ἕως ᾅδου καταβήσῃ; heōs hadou katabēsē): A stark prophetic declaration of reversal. "Hades" (ᾅδης, Hadēs) here denotes a state of profound destruction, desolation, and spiritual ruin, the ultimate abasement. It contrasts sharply with "exalted to heaven," signifying a total downfall from privileged status to utter condemnation, more a spiritual metaphor for finality and judgment than merely the grave.
• "for if": Introduces the logical underpinning and comparative argument for the impending severe judgment.
• "the mighty works" (αἱ δυνάμεις, hai dynameis): Refers to the miracles, the powerful demonstrations of divine authority performed by Jesus (healings, casting out demons, etc.). These dynameis were undeniable signs validating Jesus' claims and the dawning of God's Kingdom.
• "done in you" (γενόμεναι ἐν σοί, genomenai en soi): Emphasizes that Capernaum was not merely told about God's power but directly experienced and witnessed it. The miracles were personal, public, and abundant, leaving them without excuse for unbelief.
• "had been done in Sodom" (ἐν Σοδόμοις γενόμεναι, en Sodomois genomenai): Invokes the notorious ancient city of Sodom (Gen 19), an ultimate biblical archetype of moral depravity and sudden, cataclysmic divine judgment. By comparing Capernaum's spiritual responsibility to Sodom's, Jesus sets a staggering benchmark.
• "it would have remained until this day" (ἔμεινεν ἂν μέχρι τῆς σήμερον, emeinen an mechri tēs sēmeron): This is a powerful hyperbole that intensifies Capernaum's guilt. Jesus asserts that even Sodom, given the direct, visible evidence of His miraculous works, would have repented and therefore been spared its destruction. This indicates that Capernaum's unresponsiveness, in the face of the greatest revelation ever offered to humanity, marked a deeper, more culpable spiritual hardness than Sodom's outright wickedness. Their sin was not ignorance, but willful rejection.

Matthew 11 23 Bonus section

This verse subtly carries a polemic against a superficial understanding of God's presence. Capernaum, as the de facto "headquarters" of Jesus' ministry, might have felt an unjustified sense of divine favor or entitlement, akin to Jerusalem's complacency in many prophetic laments. However, proximity to the divine without true repentance leads to greater condemnation, not salvation. The contrast with Sodom also emphasizes the concept of God's absolute justice, wherein all are judged according to the light they receive. Capernaum's judgment, therefore, would be harsher than Sodom's because they sinned against a greater manifestation of truth. This also reflects God's sorrow over unrepentant hearts; Jesus' words are not spoken out of anger but deep lament for lost opportunities.

Matthew 11 23 Commentary

Matthew 11:23 stands as a sobering testament to the principle of increased responsibility accompanying increased privilege. Capernaum, rather than embracing the divine presence of Jesus and His validating miracles, remained stubborn in its unbelief. This passage highlights that a lack of repentance in the face of undeniable truth and manifested divine power is a sin of profound spiritual blindness and hardened will. Jesus contrasts Capernaum's opportunity with Sodom's, indicating that the magnitude of light received dictates the severity of judgment. To have witnessed the Son of God, performed wonders in their streets, and still reject Him, meant their culpability far surpassed even those who sinned without such direct revelation. The prophecy of descending to "Hades" indicates not just physical ruin but a complete and utter spiritual condemnation, a direct reversal of their perceived high status. It underscores that God takes serious the rejection of His truth, particularly when delivered by His own Son with abundant proof. This serves as a warning against complacency or spiritual apathy in the presence of great spiritual blessing.