Matthew 11:24

24 Nevertheless I say to you, that to the land of Sodom it shall be less pain in the day of doom, than to thee.

Matthew 11:24 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 11:24

But I say unto you
Capernaum, and the inhabitants thereof, as before, to Chorazin and Bethsaida.

It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of
judgment, than for thee:
though the punishment of the men of Sodom will be very great, their iniquities being horribly dreadful and enormous, yet more easy to be borne than the vengeance, which, in the last and general judgment, will fall upon such, who have had the means of grace, and have despised them; especially such as had the personal presence, ministry, and miracles of Christ among them, as the Capernaites had. Such a way of expressing and setting forth the severer punishment of others, by that of Sodom, is not unusual in the Old Testament; see ( Lamentations 4:6 ) nor in Jewish writers, who say ^F18, that

``the Israelites were fit for, or deserved, (Mwdo vnwem rwmx) (rtwy vnwel) , "a far more heavy punishment than the punishment of Sodom": because they abounded with prophets, rising early, and sending them, but they did not hearken; whereas Sodom had no hands stayed on her, or prophets to warn them.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Tzeror Hammor, fol. 82. 1.

Matthew 11:24 In-Context

22 Nevertheless I say to you, it shall be less pain to Tyre and Sidon in the day of doom, than to you.

23 And thou, Capernaum, whether thou shalt be araised up into heaven? Thou shalt go down into hell. For if the works of power that be done in thee, had been done in Sodom, peradventure they should have dwelled till into this day. [And thou, Capernaum, whether till into heaven thou shalt be reared up? Thou shalt go down till into hell. For if the virtues that be done in thee, had been done in Sodom, peradventure they should have dwelled till unto this day.]

24 Nevertheless I say to you, that to the land of Sodom it shall be less pain in the day of doom, than to thee.

25 In that time Jesus answered, and said, I acknowledge to thee, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for thou hast hid these things from wise men, and ready [In that time, Jesus answering said, I acknowledge to thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for thou hast hid these things from wise men and prudent], and hast showed them to little children;

26 so, Father, for so it was pleasing before thee.