In this section, the focus on Israel’s unbelief becomes sharper. The cities of Galilee are reproached for their failure to receive the message of Jesus.
With the unbelief of Israel, a turning point in the story has been reached. For the first time, we encounter the fact of the failure of Jesus’ mission to Israel. He rebukes the largely unreceptive cities of Galilee, particularly since they had been privileged to see the mighty deeds.
Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done because they did not repent.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you (Matthew 11.20-22).
Although they had witnessed the deeds of power, they did not respond to Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom. They did not repent or change their mind and believe the good news of the kingdom (see Mark 1.15).
The story of Josh Monk’s conversion is possibly the most memorable in my 50-plus years of ministry. Josh witnessed many other miracles similar to his, and he said fairly often that we should never get tired of seeing God’s miracles of changed lives.
Jesus’ message to the cities serves as a powerful reminder that we should not become complacent when witnessing miracles. Instead, when we see one, it should stir our faith and increase our devotion to our Lord and Savior.
Capernaum
Capernaum was the headquarters of Jesus’s Galilean ministry. It must have been particularly painful to him that this city was unreceptive to his message and healing power.
And you, Capernaum,
Will you be exalted to heaven?
No, you will be brought down to Hades.
“For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
“But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you” (Matthew 11.23-24).
Capernaum seemed to possess an unwarranted pride. They were confident in an exceptional degree, believing that they were a chosen people. This confidence led them to believe that they were destined for greatness and success, despite any evidence to the contrary.
Jesus’s words remind us of what was said in the Book of Isaiah. Christian readers believe that this message about the king of Babylon is also an allusion to the fall of Satan.
How you are fallen from heaven,
O Morning Star, son of Dawn!
How you are cut down to the ground,
you who laid the nations low!
You said to yourself,
“I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
on the heights of Zaphon;
I will ascend to the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.”
But you are brought down to Sheol,
to the depths of the Pit. (Isaiah 14.12-15)
This passage is startling, as judgment upon a city where miracles have taken place is compared to the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah and the downfall of Satan.
We are reminded not to take the miracles of Jesus casually. They are an act of God’s kindness intended to lead us to repentance.
Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience? Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2.4).
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 