Luke 10:13

KJV

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

KJV (with Strong's)

Woe {G3759} unto thee {G4671}, Chorazin {G5523}! woe {G3759} unto thee {G4671}, Bethsaida {G966}! for {G3754} if {G1487} the mighty works {G1411} had been done {G1096} in {G1722} Tyre {G5184} and {G2532} Sidon {G4605}, which {G3588} have been done {G1096} in {G1722} you {G5213}, they had {G3340} a great while ago {G3819} repented {G3340}, sitting {G2521} in {G302}{G1722} sackcloth {G4526} and {G2532} ashes {G4700}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Beit-Tzaidah! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tzor and Tzidon, they would long ago have put on sackcloth and ashes as evidence that they had changed their ways.

Berean Standard Bible

Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

American Standard Version

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 10:13 records Jesus' solemn pronouncement of "woe" upon the Galilean cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida. Despite having witnessed an abundance of His miraculous "mighty works," these cities remained unrepentant. Jesus declares that if the same divine demonstrations had occurred in the historically wicked pagan cities of Tyre and Sidon, they would have long ago responded with deep contrition, symbolized by sitting in sackcloth and ashes. This verse underscores the principle of greater accountability for those who receive greater spiritual light and highlights the severe consequences of rejecting God's clear revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This denunciation of Chorazin and Bethsaida is strategically placed within Luke's narrative immediately after Jesus has commissioned and sent out the seventy disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God. He had just instructed them on how to respond to towns that reject their message, warning that such towns would face a judgment "more tolerable for Sodom than for that town" [Luke 10:12](/luke/10-12 "Luke 10:12 - Judgment for Unrepentant Cities"). The "woes" in [Luke 10:13-15](/luke/10-13-15 "Luke 10:13-15 - Jesus' Woes on Unrepentant Cities") serve as a direct application of this principle, demonstrating that even cities privileged with Jesus' personal presence and miraculous ministry are not exempt from divine judgment if they remain hardened in unbelief. This passage also parallels a similar account in [Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Matthew 11:20-24 - Jesus Denounces Unrepentant Cities"), indicating its significance in Jesus' teachings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Chorazin and Bethsaida were Galilean towns located in the "evangelical triangle" alongside Capernaum, a region that served as the primary hub of Jesus' ministry. These cities were privileged to experience Jesus' teaching, healing, and mighty works firsthand, witnessing unparalleled divine activity. Tyre and Sidon, in stark contrast, were ancient Phoenician port cities, predominantly Gentile, known throughout Old Testament history for their idolatry, commercialism, and moral corruption. They were often targets of prophetic denunciations (e.g., [Isaiah 23](/isaiah/23 "Isaiah 23 - Prophecy Against Tyre") and [Ezekiel 26-28](/ekiel/26-28 "Ezekiel 26-28 - Prophecy Against Tyre")). The imagery of "sitting in sackcloth and ashes" was a widely recognized ancient Near Eastern custom signifying profound grief, humility, and genuine repentance. It was a public display of contrition, often accompanied by fasting and prayer, demonstrating a deep change of heart before God.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes in this verse revolve around **Divine Judgment and Accountability**. Jesus' pronouncement of "woe" (Greek: _ouai_) is a solemn expression of sorrow, lament, and a prophetic warning of impending judgment, highlighting God's righteous response to human rejection of His truth. This leads directly to the theme of **Unbelief and Unrepentance**. Despite witnessing undeniable evidence of God's power and presence through Jesus' ministry, the inhabitants of Chorazin and Bethsaida refused to change their hearts and minds, demonstrating a profound failure to respond to divine grace. This refusal underscores the theme of **Greater Responsibility with Greater Light**, a principle Jesus emphasizes elsewhere, stating that [to whom much is given, much will be required](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - Greater Accountability"). The comparison with Tyre and Sidon illustrates that greater spiritual privilege brings greater accountability. Finally, the passage highlights the **Missed Opportunity** these cities faced, as they squandered a unique chance to embrace the Messiah and participate in the Kingdom of God, leading to severe consequences.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Greek, _ouaí'_):** A primary exclamation of grief; "woe." This term is not merely a curse but a profound expression of sorrow, lament, and prophetic denunciation. It conveys Jesus' deep anguish over the spiritual blindness and impending judgment facing these cities, indicating a solemn pronouncement of their dire future due to their unrepentance.
* **Mighty works (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** From _dýnamai_ (to be able); force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself). This term refers to the supernatural acts of power, miracles, and wonders performed by Jesus. These were not mere displays of human ability but demonstrations of divine authority, serving as undeniable signs confirming His identity as the Messiah and the arrival of God's Kingdom.
* **Repented (Greek, _metanoéō'_):** From _metá_ (after, with) and _noiéō_ (to perceive, think); to think differently or afterwards, i.e., reconsider (morally, feel compunction). This verb signifies a fundamental change of mind, a turning from sin to God, leading to a transformation of life and conduct. It's a call to a complete reorientation of one's will and actions towards God's will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida!":** Jesus begins with a solemn, sorrowful lament and prophetic denunciation. The repetition of "woe" emphasizes the gravity of the cities' spiritual condition and the certainty of their impending judgment. Chorazin and Bethsaida were towns that had received extraordinary divine revelation through Jesus' personal ministry and numerous miracles, yet they remained hardened in their unbelief.
* **"for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you":** This clause highlights the astonishing contrast and the profound privilege bestowed upon Chorazin and Bethsaida. Jesus asserts that the powerful, undeniable miracles He performed among them were so compelling that even the famously wicked, pagan cities of Tyre and Sidon, known for their historical rejection of God, would have responded positively. This underscores the immense spiritual opportunity that Chorazin and Bethsaida squandered.
* **"they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.":** This describes the profound and public repentance that Jesus believes Tyre and Sidon would have exhibited. "Repented" (Greek: _metanoéō_) signifies a complete change of mind and direction, a turning away from sin and toward God. "Sitting in sackcloth and ashes" vividly portrays the depth of this repentance—a traditional sign of deep mourning, humility, and contrition, indicating a public and sincere acknowledgment of sin and a desperate plea for mercy.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 10:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey Jesus' message. **Lament/Prophetic Denunciation** is evident in the repeated "Woe unto thee," which is not merely a curse but a heartfelt expression of sorrow over the cities' spiritual state and a solemn warning of their impending judgment. This sets a somber and authoritative tone. **Hyperbole** is powerfully used in the comparison between the unrepentant Galilean cities and the notoriously wicked Gentile cities of Tyre and Sidon. Jesus' statement that Tyre and Sidon "would have repented" if they had seen the same works is a rhetorical exaggeration designed to underscore the profound spiritual blindness and stubbornness of Chorazin and Bethsaida, making their lack of response all the more reprehensible. This also creates a stark **Contrast** between the privileged but unrepentant Jewish cities and the hypothetical repentance of pagan cities, highlighting the principle that greater light brings greater accountability.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 10:13 stands as a stark theological declaration concerning divine judgment, human responsibility, and the nature of revelation. It articulates the principle that God holds individuals and communities accountable for their response to the truth they have received. The greater the light and revelation, the greater the responsibility to respond in faith and repentance. Jesus' lament reveals not only God's righteous judgment but also His profound sorrow over humanity's rejection of His grace. The "mighty works" were not mere spectacles but divine invitations to enter the Kingdom, and their rejection constituted a profound offense against God's loving initiative. This passage serves as a timeless warning against spiritual indifference and complacency in the face of God's manifest presence and power.

* [Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Parallel Account of Woes")
* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "To Whom Much Is Given")
* [Acts 17:30](/acts/17-30 "God Commands Repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 10:13 serves as a profound and sobering mirror for every generation, challenging us to deeply examine our own hearts and our response to the revelation of God's truth and power in our lives. We may not witness Jesus performing physical miracles in our streets today, but we have the complete written Word of God, the testimony of countless lives transformed by the Gospel, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. If we have been exposed to the Gospel, experienced God's grace, or witnessed His transforming power, we bear a significant responsibility to respond in faith, obedience, and genuine repentance. This verse calls us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to a living, active faith that transforms our lives. It warns against the spiritual danger of becoming hardened or complacent, taking God's truth for granted, or assuming that privilege guarantees salvation. Our response to the light we have received determines our spiritual trajectory and ultimately our eternal destiny.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have I been exposed to God's truth and power in my life, perhaps through His Word, His people, or personal experiences?**
* **Am I truly receptive to God's word and His work in the world, or do I find myself becoming complacent or resistant to His call?**
* **What does genuine "repentance" look like in my daily life, beyond mere regret for sin? Am I willing to make a fundamental change of mind and direction towards God?**
* **Do I appreciate the immense spiritual privilege of knowing Christ and having access to His teachings, and am I living in a way that reflects this appreciation and responsibility?**

### FAQ
**Why were Chorazin and Bethsaida singled out by Jesus for such a strong denunciation?**

Answer: Chorazin and Bethsaida were singled out because, unlike many other cities, they had been the primary beneficiaries of Jesus' personal ministry and miraculous works. They were located in the "evangelical triangle" near Capernaum, a central hub of Jesus' Galilean activities. The inhabitants of these cities had witnessed firsthand an unprecedented display of divine power and the clear proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Despite this extraordinary privilege and undeniable evidence of Jesus' identity and authority, they remained largely unrepentant and unresponsive to His call. Jesus' denunciation highlights the principle that greater spiritual light and privilege bring greater accountability, making their rejection of Him particularly egregious.

**What is the significance of "sackcloth and ashes" in this verse?**

Answer: "Sackcloth and ashes" is a powerful ancient Near Eastern idiom symbolizing deep mourning, humility, and genuine repentance. Sackcloth was a coarse, rough fabric, typically made of goat's hair, worn as a sign of distress or sorrow. Ashes were sprinkled on the head or sat in as a further demonstration of grief and self-abasement. When Jesus says Tyre and Sidon would have repented "sitting in sackcloth and ashes," He means they would have shown profound, public, and sincere contrition for their sins, acknowledging their unworthiness and desperately seeking God's mercy. It represents a complete and visible turning away from their former ways.

**Does this passage mean that Tyre and Sidon were "better" than Chorazin and Bethsaida?**

Answer: No, this passage does not imply that Tyre and Sidon were morally superior to Chorazin and Bethsaida. Historically, Tyre and Sidon were pagan cities known for their idolatry, commercialism, and moral corruption, often condemned by Old Testament prophets (e.g., [Ezekiel 26](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel 26 - Prophecy Against Tyre")). Jesus' point is one of **accountability based on revelation**. He is using a rhetorical device (hyperbole) to emphasize the profound spiritual hardness of Chorazin and Bethsaida. He argues that even these notoriously wicked Gentile cities, if given the same overwhelming evidence of divine power and truth that Chorazin and Bethsaida received, would have recognized their sin and repented. The greater light received by Chorazin and Bethsaida made their unbelief far more culpable than the historical wickedness of Tyre and Sidon, who had not experienced the Messiah's direct presence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 10:13, though a lament of judgment, profoundly points to Christ as the ultimate revelation of God and the central figure in humanity's call to repentance. The "mighty works" performed by Jesus in Chorazin and Bethsaida were not merely isolated acts of power; they were tangible signs of the inbreaking Kingdom of God, demonstrating the divine authority of the Messiah. Jesus himself is the embodiment of God's gracious invitation to humanity, and His lament over these cities reveals His compassionate heart, grieving over those who reject the very source of life and salvation. The call to "repent" (Greek: _metanoéō_) is ultimately a call to turn to Christ, for He is the one who brings forgiveness of sins and the power for new life. The ultimate act of repentance, symbolized by "sackcloth and ashes," finds its truest expression in a broken and contrite heart that turns in faith to the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). While these cities faced judgment for rejecting Him, Christ's mission culminates in His sacrificial death and resurrection, offering a path to repentance and redemption for all who believe, fulfilling the very purpose for which He came into the world ([John 3:16-17](/john/3-16-17 "John 3:16-17 - God So Loved the World")). His words here foreshadow the ultimate judgment for those who refuse to embrace the light He brings, yet simultaneously underscore the urgency and availability of salvation through Him ([Acts 2:38](/acts/2-38 "Acts 2:38 - Repent and Be Baptized")).

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

Isaiah 23:1

¶ The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.

Isaiah 23:18

And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.

Ezekiel 26:1

¶ And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first [day] of the month, [that] the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 28:26

And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD their God.

Joel 3:4

Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly [and] speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;

Joel 3:8

And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken [it].

Matthew 11:20

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: