Luke 10:15

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

And {G2532} thou {G4771}, Capernaum {G2584}, which {G3588} art exalted {G5312} to {G2193} heaven {G3772}, shalt be thrust down {G2601} to {G2193} hell {G86}.

“And you, K’far-Nachum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Sh’ol!

And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades!

And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt be brought down unto Hades.

Luke 10:15 records a powerful prophetic warning from Jesus Christ to the city of Capernaum, a central location for much of His Galilean ministry. This verse is part of a series of "woes" Jesus pronounces against unrepentant cities that had witnessed His mighty works firsthand.

Context

This declaration follows immediately after Jesus' lament over Chorazin and Bethsaida in Luke 10:13-14. Capernaum was a highly favored city, often serving as Jesus' base of operations (Matthew 4:13). It was here that many of His miracles were performed and much of His teaching delivered. The phrase "exalted to heaven" refers not to its physical elevation, but to its extraordinary spiritual privilege of being so close to the Son of God and witnessing His divine power and truth. Despite this unparalleled exposure to God's presence, the city largely remained impenitent, leading to this severe pronouncement of judgment. A parallel account of this woe can be found in Matthew 11:23.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment for Unbelief: The primary message is the severe consequence of rejecting God's revelation, even when presented with overwhelming evidence. Capernaum's refusal to repent, despite its immense privilege, brought about its downfall.
  • Privilege and Responsibility: This verse powerfully illustrates the principle that greater privilege brings greater accountability. The more light and truth one receives, the heavier the judgment for rejecting it. This aligns with the teaching in Luke 12:48, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."
  • Consequences of Spiritual Rejection: Jesus warns that spiritual indifference or outright rejection of the Gospel will lead to profound destruction. The city's physical ruin later attested to the truth of this prophecy.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "exalted to heaven" (Greek: hypsōtheisa heōs ouranou) is a vivid hyperbole emphasizing the unparalleled spiritual advantage Capernaum enjoyed. It highlights its high status in terms of divine favor and opportunity. Conversely, "shalt be thrust down to hell" uses the Greek word Hades (hadēn), which in this context signifies a state of utter ruin, destruction, and profound downfall, contrasting sharply with its former "exalted" position. While Hades often refers to the realm of the dead, here it metaphorically describes the city's complete and catastrophic demise, rather than an individual's eternal damnation in Gehenna (another Greek word for hell).

Practical Application

Luke 10:15 serves as a timeless warning. Just as Capernaum was privileged to host Jesus, people today are privileged to hear the Gospel through various means. This verse challenges us to consider our own response to the truth we have received. Do we take the abundant spiritual light and opportunities for granted, or do we respond with genuine repentance and faith? The principle remains: great privilege demands great responsibility. Our response to God's grace determines our spiritual destiny, reminding us of the seriousness of rejecting God's call to repentance and belief.

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.

  • Isaiah 14:13

    For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

  • Isaiah 14:15

    Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

  • Matthew 4:13

    And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

  • 2 Peter 2:4

    For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

  • Matthew 11:23

    And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

  • Luke 13:28

    There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out.

  • Ezekiel 31:18

    To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth: thou shalt lie in the midst of the uncircumcised with [them that be] slain by the sword. This [is] Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.

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