Luke 10:12

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

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}.

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

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

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

Luke 10:12 is a solemn warning from Jesus Christ to His disciples, emphasizing the severe consequences for cities and individuals who reject the message of the Kingdom of God.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' instructions to the seventy (or seventy-two) disciples He sent out to towns and villages ahead of His own arrival. Their mission was to proclaim the nearness of the Kingdom of God and heal the sick. Jesus provided specific guidelines, including what to do if a city refused to receive them or their message of peace. Just prior to this verse, Jesus instructs them to shake off the dust from their feet as a testimony against such a rejecting city, signifying a complete severance and a public declaration of its unresponsiveness.

Key Themes

  • Severity of Rejection: The core message is that rejecting divine truth, especially when presented by God's authorized messengers, carries a far greater penalty than the sins committed in ignorance or by those who had less light. The comparison to Sodom underscores this.
  • Divine Judgment and Accountability: Jesus highlights that there will be a "day" of reckoning, often referred to as the Day of Judgment, where cities and individuals will be held accountable for their choices. The more light received, the greater the responsibility.
  • Consequences of Unbelief: The fate of ancient Sodom, famously destroyed by fire and brimstone for its profound wickedness (Genesis 19:24), serves as a benchmark for extreme divine wrath. Yet, Jesus declares that for a city rejecting His messengers, its judgment will be even less "tolerable" or "bearable" than Sodom's. This is a chilling warning against spiritual apathy and outright rejection.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "more tolerable" comes from the Greek word anektōteros (ἀνεκτότερος), meaning 'more endurable' or 'more bearable'. It implies a comparative degree of suffering or punishment in the eschatological judgment. Jesus also uses this strong language in parallel passages, such as when condemning cities like Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their unbelief, stating that it will be "more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee" (Matthew 11:24).

Practical Application

Luke 10:12 serves as a powerful reminder for all generations about the seriousness of responding to God's message. It underscores the immense privilege and responsibility that comes with hearing the Gospel. For those who have been exposed to the truth of Christ, ignoring or rejecting it incurs a greater spiritual cost than for those who lived in spiritual darkness. It calls believers to faithfully share the message and warns listeners to humbly consider and respond to God's overtures of grace and truth, lest they face a more severe judgment for their spiritual indifference or defiance.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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].

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