Luke 10:14

KJV

But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G4133} it shall be {G2071} more tolerable {G414} for Tyre {G5184} and {G2532} Sidon {G4605} at {G1722} the judgment {G2920}, than {G2228} for you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But at the Judgment it will be more bearable for Tzor and Tzidon than for you!

Berean Standard Bible

But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

American Standard Version

But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment, than for you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 10:14 delivers a stark pronouncement from Jesus, asserting that the judgment awaiting the unrepentant Galilean cities, which had witnessed His miraculous works and heard His divine teaching, would be more severe than that reserved for the notoriously wicked Gentile cities of Tyre and Sidon. This declaration underscores the profound principle of proportionate divine justice, where greater privilege and exposure to truth necessitate greater accountability, and the rejection of God's manifest presence incurs a more grievous condemnation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus's "woes" pronounced against the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, found in [Luke 10:13-15](/luke/10-13-15 "Jesus's Woes Against Unrepentant Cities"). Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus condemns Chorazin and Bethsaida for their failure to repent despite witnessing "mighty works." The pronouncement in [Luke 10:14](/luke/10-14 "Jesus's Judgment on Galilean Cities") serves as a direct comparison, amplifying the severity of their impending judgment. Following this, [Luke 10:15](/luke/10-15 "Capernaum's Condemnation") extends a similar, even more intense, warning to Capernaum, stating it would be cast down to Hades. This sequence of pronouncements highlights Jesus's frustration and sorrow over the spiritual blindness and impenitence of those who had the greatest opportunity to believe. The broader context of [Luke 10](/luke/10 "The Sending of the Seventy-Two and Woes") includes the sending out of the seventy-two disciples, emphasizing the widespread proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the subsequent accountability for those who heard and rejected its message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre and Sidon were ancient Phoenician port cities located on the Mediterranean coast, north of Galilee. Historically, they were known for their immense wealth, maritime trade, and deeply entrenched idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal and Asherah. Throughout the Old Testament, these cities were frequently condemned by prophets like [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/26 "Ezekiel's Prophecy Against Tyre") and [Isaiah](/isaiah/23 "Isaiah's Burden of Tyre") for their pride, wickedness, and opposition to God's people. In stark contrast, the Galilean cities like Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum were Jewish towns in the heart of Jesus's ministry. They had the unparalleled privilege of experiencing Jesus's personal presence, hearing His teachings directly, and witnessing numerous miracles—healings, exorcisms, and other demonstrations of divine power. The cultural expectation was that the Jewish people, having received God's law and prophets, would be more receptive to the Messiah. Jesus's comparison, therefore, is profoundly shocking: the notoriously pagan and condemned cities would fare better in judgment than the Jewish cities privileged with the very presence of God in the flesh.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **greater responsibility for greater light**. Those who have been exposed to more truth, witnessed undeniable divine acts, and received abundant opportunities to repent are held to a higher standard of accountability. Their rejection is not born of ignorance but of willful impenitence. Secondly, it highlights the **certainty and righteousness of divine judgment**. Jesus's pronouncements reveal that God's judgment is not arbitrary but perfectly just, taking into account the extent of revelation and opportunity given to each individual or community. This theme is echoed in passages like [Romans 2:1-6](/romans/2-1-6 "God's Impartial Judgment") where Paul explains that God will judge all according to their deeds and the light they possessed. Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **unbelief in the face of overwhelming evidence**. The "mighty works" (Greek: _dynameis_) performed by Jesus in these Galilean cities were undeniable proofs of His divine authority and the presence of God's Kingdom. Their failure to repent despite such clear evidence demonstrates a hardened heart and a deliberate rejection of God's gracious invitation, leading to a more severe condemnation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _plḗn'_):** This particle, G4133, functions as a strong adversative, meaning "moreover (besides), i.e. albeit, save that, rather, yet." In this context, it introduces a sharp contrast, emphasizing the shocking nature of the comparison Jesus is about to make. It signals a shift from the description of the Galilean cities' impenitence to the surprising declaration of their greater culpability compared to Tyre and Sidon.
* **tolerable (Greek, _anektóteros'_):** As G414, this is a comparative adjective derived from a verb meaning "to endure" or "to bear." It means "more endurable" or "more bearable." This word does not imply that Tyre and Sidon will escape judgment, but rather that their judgment will be less severe, less intense, or less difficult to bear compared to that of the Galilean cities. It highlights a gradient of divine wrath, proportionate to the degree of rejected light.
* **judgment (Greek, _krísis'_):** This term, G2920, refers to a decisive condemnation, a divine reckoning, or a final separation. In the New Testament, _krísis_ often denotes the eschatological judgment of God, where individuals and nations are held accountable for their actions and their response to God's revelation. Here, it points to a future day of divine assessment and sentencing, underscoring the ultimate and inescapable accountability before God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon":** This clause sets up the shocking comparison. "It shall be" (G2071, _ésomai_) indicates a future reality. Jesus declares that even the notoriously sinful, pagan cities of Tyre and Sidon, long condemned by Old Testament prophets for their idolatry and wickedness, will face a less severe outcome. This is not because they are righteous, but because their sin was committed with less divine revelation and fewer opportunities for repentance than the Galilean cities.
* **"at the judgment":** This phrase specifies the time and context of the comparison. The "judgment" (G2920, _krísis_) refers to the future, ultimate divine reckoning. It signifies a definitive and impartial assessment by God where all deeds and responses to His truth will be weighed. This points to a final, eternal consequence for unbelief and impenitence.
* **"than for you":** The pronoun "you" (G5213, _hymîn_) refers directly to the Galilean cities—Chorazin, Bethsaida, and by extension, Capernaum—where Jesus had performed His most powerful miracles and delivered His most profound teachings. This concluding phrase delivers the crushing blow: despite their privileged access to the Son of God Himself, their rejection of Him and their failure to repent would result in a more severe and unbearable judgment than even the most depraved Gentile cities. Their greater light led to greater responsibility and, consequently, greater condemnation for their unbelief.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 10:14 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its sobering message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, where Jesus starkly juxtaposes the fate of the unrepentant Jewish cities of Galilee with that of the historically wicked Gentile cities of Tyre and Sidon. This comparison is a form of **Hyperbole**, as it presents a shocking and counter-intuitive scenario to emphasize the gravity of rejecting divine truth when it is clearly presented. The statement is a **Pronouncement of Woe**, a common prophetic literary form used to declare impending judgment upon individuals or communities for their sin and rebellion against God. Furthermore, the verse serves as a **Foreshadowing** of the ultimate divine judgment, reinforcing the theme of accountability that runs throughout the Gospels and the New Testament. The very structure of the sentence, moving from the less culpable to the more culpable, builds dramatic tension and underscores the severity of the spiritual blindness Jesus encountered.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 10:14 profoundly articulates the theological principle of proportionate judgment, where accountability is directly correlated with the measure of divine revelation and opportunity received. God's justice is not arbitrary but perfectly equitable, taking into account the light a person or community possessed. The Galilean cities, having witnessed the very Son of God perform miracles and teach with unparalleled authority, were held to a far higher standard than Tyre and Sidon, who lacked such direct exposure to divine truth. This verse serves as a stark warning that spiritual privilege, if unheeded, incurs a greater spiritual peril. It underscores that God's patience has limits, and persistent impenitence in the face of overwhelming evidence of His presence and power leads to a more severe reckoning.

* [Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Jesus's Woes on Unrepentant Cities")
* [Romans 2:1-6](/romans/2-1-6 "God's Impartial Judgment")
* [James 3:1](/james/3-1 "Greater Judgment for Teachers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 10:14 stands as a timeless and sobering challenge for every generation, particularly for those who have received the Gospel message. It compels us to deeply consider our own response to the light we have been given. In an age of unprecedented access to biblical teaching, theological resources, and Christian community, our responsibility before God is immense. This verse warns against spiritual complacency and indifference, reminding us that merely hearing the truth or witnessing God's work is insufficient; genuine repentance and faith are required. It calls us to examine whether our lives truly reflect a transformed heart in response to the grace and truth revealed in Jesus Christ. Furthermore, it should ignite a fervent passion for evangelism, recognizing that those who have not yet heard the Gospel are in a different category of accountability, and our mission is to extend that saving light to them. Ultimately, Luke 10:14 urges us to live in humble obedience, recognizing the weight of our privilege and the certainty of God's just judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have I been privileged to receive God's truth and witness His work in my life or community?**
* **Am I responding to the light I have received with genuine repentance and faith, or with spiritual indifference?**
* **How does the principle of greater accountability for greater light motivate me to live a more Christ-like life and share the Gospel?**
* **What areas of my life might reflect a lack of repentance despite clear conviction from God's Word?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that Tyre and Sidon will be saved, or that their judgment will be less severe in an absolute sense?**

Answer: This verse does not imply that Tyre and Sidon will be saved or escape judgment entirely. The phrase "more tolerable" (Greek: _anektóteros_) is a comparative term, meaning their judgment will be "more bearable" or "less severe" *in comparison* to that of the unrepentant Galilean cities. Both sets of cities will face judgment for their sins and rejection of God. However, the Galilean cities, having been directly exposed to the person and miracles of Jesus Christ, the ultimate revelation of God, incurred a far greater guilt for their unbelief. Their rejection was not due to ignorance but to willful impenitence in the face of undeniable truth. Therefore, their condemnation will be proportionally more grievous. The Bible consistently teaches that all humanity will face judgment, and salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ, as seen in [John 3:16-18](/john/3-16-18 "God So Loved the World").

**What "judgment" is Jesus referring to in this verse?**

Answer: The "judgment" (Greek: _krísis_) Jesus refers to is the final, eschatological judgment of God. This is the ultimate divine reckoning where all people will be held accountable for their lives, their deeds, and their response to God's revelation. While there are various forms of temporal judgment, this specific reference points to the decisive, eternal condemnation that awaits those who reject God's truth and refuse to repent. It aligns with other New Testament teachings about a future day of accountability, such as the [Great White Throne Judgment](/revelation/20-11-15 "The Great White Throne Judgment") described in Revelation, where all the dead, great and small, stand before God. Jesus, as the Son of Man, is appointed as the judge, as stated in [John 5:22-27](/john/5-22-27 "The Son Is Judge").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 10:14, with its stark pronouncement of judgment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "light" that the Galilean cities rejected was not merely abstract truth or prophetic word, but the very embodiment of God's revelation—Jesus Himself. He is the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "Jesus, the Light of the World"), and His presence among them was the supreme act of divine grace and opportunity. Their greater condemnation is precisely because they rejected the Son of God, the one through whom all creation was made and by whom all things are sustained. Christ is not only the object of their rejection but also the one who will execute the judgment. As [John 5:22](/john/5-22 "The Father Has Entrusted All Judgment to the Son") declares, "For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son." Therefore, the "judgment" spoken of in this verse is ultimately Christ's judgment, a righteous and perfect assessment based on humanity's response to Him. For those who embrace Him, He is the Savior who bore the judgment on the cross, offering forgiveness and eternal life. For those who reject Him, He becomes the just Judge, and their condemnation is sealed by their refusal to believe in the one sent by God, as [John 3:19](/john/3-19 "The Light Has Come Into the World") states, "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil." Thus, Luke 10:14 powerfully underscores the cosmic significance of one's response to Jesus Christ.

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

Luke 12:47

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes].

Luke 12:48

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

John 15:22

If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.

John 15:25

But [this cometh to pass], that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

Romans 2:1

¶ Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

Romans 2:27

And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

Amos 3:2

You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.