Luke 10:12

KJV

But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, that {G3754} it shall be {G2071} more tolerable {G414} in {G1722} that {G1565} day {G2250} for Sodom {G4670}, than {G2228} for that {G1565} city {G4172}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I tell you, it will be more tolerable on the Day of Judgment for S’dom than for that town.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 10:12 delivers a profound and sobering warning from Jesus Christ to His disciples, underscoring the severe consequences awaiting any city or individual who, having been exposed to the message of the Kingdom of God through His authorized messengers, chooses to reject it. This verse starkly contrasts the judgment faced by the notoriously wicked city of Sodom with the even greater spiritual peril of those who, with more light and revelation, refuse to embrace the truth of God's redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus' specific instructions to the seventy (or seventy-two) disciples whom He "sent them out two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go" ([Luke 10:1](/luke/10-1 "Luke 10:1 - Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two")). Their mission was urgent: to proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick, preparing the way for Jesus' own arrival. Jesus provided detailed guidelines for their conduct and what to expect, including hospitality and rejection. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus instructs His disciples that if a city does not receive them, they are to "shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them" ([Luke 10:11](/luke/10-11 "Luke 10:11 - Shaking Off the Dust")). This act symbolized a complete severance of peace and a public declaration of the city's unresponsiveness, leaving them to their own devices and the impending judgment. Luke 10:12 then serves as the theological rationale and dire consequence for such an act of rejection.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The reference to "Sodom" immediately evokes a powerful image for any Jewish audience. Sodom, along with Gomorrah, was famously destroyed by divine judgment due to its profound wickedness, as recorded in [Genesis 19:24-25](/genesis/19-24-25 "Genesis 19:24-25 - Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"). This event served as a benchmark for extreme divine wrath and a clear example of God's righteous judgment against sin. The Jewish custom of "shaking off the dust" from one's feet when leaving a Gentile area or a place deemed unclean was a symbolic act of disassociation, signifying that one wished to carry nothing, not even dust, from that place. Jesus' application of this custom to Jewish towns that rejected His messengers was a shocking and severe indictment, placing them in a category akin to or even worse than pagan cities in their spiritual blindness and rebellion.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 10:12 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **severity of rejecting divine truth**, particularly when presented by God's authorized messengers. Jesus implies that those who reject the clear revelation of the Kingdom, despite witnessing its signs and hearing its proclamation, incur a far greater culpability than those who sinned in ignorance or with less exposure to truth. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **divine judgment and accountability**. Jesus explicitly points to a future "day" of reckoning, often understood as the eschatological Day of Judgment, where cities and individuals will be held accountable for their choices and responses to God's overtures. The principle is clear: the more light received, the greater the responsibility ([Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given")). Finally, it emphasizes the **consequences of unbelief**. The fate of Sodom, a byword for utter destruction, serves as a chilling benchmark. Yet, Jesus declares that for a city rejecting His messengers, its judgment will be "more tolerable" for Sodom, implying an even less bearable fate for the rejecting city. This is a stark warning against spiritual apathy, indifference, and outright defiance towards God's gracious invitation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **say (Greek, _légō'_):** This verb, G3004, means "to lay forth, i.e., relate (in words, usually of systematic or set discourse)." When Jesus uses "I say unto you" (ἐγὼ λέγω ὑμῖν), it signifies a solemn, authoritative declaration. It is not merely an opinion or suggestion, but a pronouncement of divine truth, often marking a significant teaching or a new, authoritative interpretation that supersedes previous understandings or expectations. Here, it introduces a profound and weighty judgment.
* **more tolerable (Greek, _anektóteros'_):** G414, a comparative adjective derived from a word meaning "to endure" or "to bear up under." It literally means "more endurable" or "more bearable." The use of the comparative degree is crucial; it does not suggest that Sodom's judgment was light, but rather that the judgment awaiting the rejecting city will be even *less* endurable. This intensifies the severity of the warning, implying a greater degree of suffering or condemnation in the eschatological judgment.
* **day (Greek, _hēméra'_):** G2250, refers to a period of time, often figuratively representing a specific, defined period, such as a time of judgment or reckoning. In this context, "that day" unequivocally points to the "Day of Judgment" or the "Day of the Lord," a well-established theological concept in both Old and New Testaments referring to a future time of divine intervention, accountability, and justice. The specificity of "that day" emphasizes the certainty and inevitability of this future reckoning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I say unto you":** This introductory phrase establishes Jesus' divine authority and the solemnity of His pronouncement. It signals a weighty declaration, often introducing a truth that might be contrary to common expectation or that carries profound implications. Here, it underscores that the following statement is not merely a human observation but a divine decree.
* **"that it shall be more tolerable":** This clause introduces the core comparison. The Greek "anektóteros" (more tolerable/endurable) highlights a comparative degree of suffering or ease in judgment. It implies that while Sodom's fate was horrific, there is a worse, less bearable outcome for those who reject the Gospel. This is a chilling thought, as Sodom's destruction was already a byword for ultimate divine wrath.
* **"in that day for Sodom":** "That day" refers to the Day of Judgment, a future time when all will give an account. The inclusion of Sodom serves as the benchmark for extreme wickedness and severe divine punishment. The implication is that even Sodom, despite its notorious depravity, will face a judgment that is, comparatively, less severe than that of the rejecting city. This is not to diminish Sodom's sin but to magnify the sin of rejecting Christ's message.
* **"than for that city":** This final phrase identifies the object of the more severe judgment: any city (or by extension, any individual) that rejects the message of the Kingdom of God proclaimed by Jesus' authorized messengers. The "that city" refers to the specific towns and villages where the disciples were sent, emphasizing their unique privilege of hearing the Gospel directly and their consequent heightened responsibility. Their rejection, despite having received greater light, incurs a greater penalty.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 10:12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. The primary device is **Comparison** (or **Analogy**), where Jesus draws a stark parallel between the historical destruction of Sodom and the future judgment of cities rejecting His messengers. By stating that Sodom's fate will be "more tolerable," Jesus uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme gravity of rejecting the Kingdom message. This is not a literal mathematical comparison of suffering, but a rhetorical exaggeration designed to shock and impress upon the hearers the unparalleled seriousness of their spiritual indifference or defiance. The verse also contains an element of **Foreshadowing**, pointing to a future "day" of judgment, thereby reminding the audience of ultimate divine accountability. The implied **Irony** is also present: those who considered themselves righteous and privileged (Jewish towns) would face a judgment worse than a city synonymous with ultimate depravity (Sodom), precisely because of their greater exposure to divine truth and their subsequent rejection of it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 10:12 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine judgment and human responsibility. It underscores the principle that increased revelation brings increased accountability. God's patience and grace are immense, but His justice is equally sure. To reject the clear presentation of God's truth, especially when delivered by His chosen representatives, is considered a graver offense than sin committed in ignorance or with less light. This is because such rejection is not merely a failure to obey a command, but a direct affront to God's loving initiative to save and restore. The warning serves as a sober reminder that the Gospel, while offering the greatest salvation, also carries the most severe consequences for those who spurn it.

* [Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Matthew 11:20-24 - Woes to Unrepentant Cities")
* [Hebrews 10:26-31](/hebrews/10-26-31 "Hebrews 10:26-31 - The Danger of Willful Sin")
* [Romans 1:18-20](/romans/1-18-20 "Romans 1:18-20 - God's Wrath Against Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 10:12 serves as a timeless and urgent call to introspection for every generation. It compels us to consider the immense privilege and profound responsibility that accompanies hearing the Gospel message. In an age saturated with information, where access to biblical truth is unprecedented, the warning of Jesus becomes even more poignant. For those who have been exposed to the saving truth of Christ—whether through direct proclamation, written Scripture, or the witness of believers—ignoring, dismissing, or actively rejecting it incurs a spiritual cost far greater than for those who have lived in spiritual darkness. This verse demands a humble and earnest response to God's overtures of grace and truth. It challenges believers to faithfully and courageously share the message, knowing its eternal weight, and it warns listeners to receive it with open hearts, lest they face a judgment more severe than even the most infamous examples of historical wickedness. Our response to Jesus and His message determines our eternal destiny.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Jesus' comparison of the rejecting city to Sodom reveal about the nature of spiritual accountability?**
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be guilty of spiritual indifference or rejecting truth, even subtly, today?**
* **How does this verse deepen my understanding of the urgency and importance of sharing the Gospel with others?**
* **If rejecting the message of the Kingdom carries such severe consequences, what does that imply about the value and power of accepting it?**

### FAQ
**Why is the judgment for rejecting Jesus' messengers considered worse than Sodom's destruction?**

Answer: The severity of judgment is directly proportional to the amount of divine light and revelation received. Sodom was destroyed for its overt moral depravity, but it did not have the direct, personal revelation of God's Son, Jesus Christ, and the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The cities Jesus condemned in [Luke 10](/luke/10 "Luke 10 - Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two") had the unparalleled privilege of hearing the Gospel directly from Jesus' own lips or from His authorized representatives, witnessing miracles, and experiencing the power of the Kingdom. To reject such a clear and gracious invitation, which offers salvation and eternal life, is a profound act of spiritual rebellion and ingratitude. It is a rejection of God's ultimate overture of love and mercy, incurring a greater culpability than sins committed with less knowledge.

**What does "that day" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: "That day" refers to the Day of Judgment, also known as the Day of the Lord, a recurring theme in biblical prophecy. It signifies a future, definitive time when God will bring all humanity to account for their deeds and their response to His truth. It is the day when divine justice will be fully meted out, and all secrets will be revealed. Jesus' reference to "that day" underscores the certainty and inevitability of this final reckoning, where the spiritual choices made in this life will have eternal consequences.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 10:12, while a stark warning, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not only in Jesus' role as the authoritative Judge but also as the very embodiment of the Kingdom message that, if rejected, leads to such dire consequences. The "more tolerable" judgment for Sodom compared to the rejecting city highlights that the greatest offense is to spurn the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Jesus is not merely a messenger of the Kingdom; He *is* the King, and His coming inaugurated the Kingdom itself. Therefore, to reject His messengers is to reject Him ([Luke 10:16](/luke/10-16 "Luke 10:16 - He Who Rejects You Rejects Me")), and to reject Him is to reject the Father who sent Him ([John 5:23](/john/5-23 "John 5:23 - Honor the Son as You Honor the Father")). The terrifying prospect of a judgment worse than Sodom's underscores the immeasurable value of the grace and salvation offered exclusively through Christ. It is through His atoning sacrifice that the condemnation for sin, including the sin of unbelief, can be averted. For those who believe in Him, there is "no condemnation" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")), and they will not "come into judgment" but have "passed from death to life" ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Passed from Death to Life")). Thus, the warning of Luke 10:12 implicitly magnifies the urgency and glory of the Gospel, which offers deliverance from such a terrible fate through faith in the Lamb of God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 10:15

Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Matthew 11:24

But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Lamentations 4:6

For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.

Mark 6:11

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Ezekiel 16:48

[As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.

Ezekiel 16:50

And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw [good].