Matthew 11:21

KJV

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago 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}, which {G3588} were done {G1096} in {G1722} you {G5213}, had been done {G1096} in {G1722} Tyre {G5184} and {G2532} Sidon {G4605}, they would have repented {G3340} long ago {G302}{G3819} in {G1722} sackcloth {G4526} and {G2532} ashes {G4700}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Beit-Tzaidah! Why, 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 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 in sackcloth and ashes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 11:21 records Jesus' solemn pronouncement of "woe" upon the Galilean cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, condemning their persistent unbelief despite witnessing numerous powerful miracles. This declaration underscores a profound principle of divine accountability, asserting that their rejection of such clear revelation rendered them more culpable than even notoriously wicked pagan cities like Tyre and Sidon, who Jesus suggests would have repented if granted the same extraordinary opportunities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader section of Matthew's Gospel (Matthew 11-12) where Jesus confronts the widespread rejection of His ministry, particularly among the Jewish cities where He performed the majority of His "mighty works." Immediately preceding this passage, Jesus has just concluded a discourse affirming the unique role of John the Baptist as His forerunner ([Matthew 11:7-19](/matthew/11-7-19 "Jesus' Discourse on John the Baptist")), and lamenting the generation's unwillingness to respond to either John's asceticism or His own joyful message ([Matthew 11:16-19](/matthew/11-16-19 "The Unresponsive Generation")). The woes against Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum ([Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Jesus' Woes Against Unrepentant Cities")) serve as a stark contrast to the subsequent invitation to the weary and burdened to find rest in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Jesus' Invitation to the Weary")). This juxtaposition highlights the severity of rejecting divine truth while simultaneously offering hope to those who humble themselves.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Chorazin and Bethsaida were prosperous Jewish towns located in the region of Galilee, specifically on or near the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, close to Capernaum, which served as Jesus' primary base of operations during His ministry. These cities were privileged to be eyewitnesses to countless miracles, healings, and teachings by Jesus. In stark contrast, Tyre and Sidon were ancient Phoenician port cities on the Mediterranean coast, historically known for their wealth, commercialism, idolatry, and moral depravity, often serving as archetypes of gentile wickedness in Old Testament prophetic literature ([Isaiah 23](/isaiah/23 "Prophecy Against Tyre") and [Ezekiel 26-28](/ezekiel/26-28 "Prophecies Against Tyre and Sidon")). The cultural practice of repenting "in sackcloth and ashes" was a deeply ingrained tradition throughout the ancient Near East, symbolizing profound grief, humility, and genuine remorse, often accompanied by fasting and prayer. It was a public and visible demonstration of repentance, signifying a complete turning away from sin and a plea for divine mercy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it emphasizes the theme of **Unbelief and Rejection**, particularly the tragic failure of those most exposed to divine revelation to respond in faith. Despite witnessing undeniable evidence of God's power through Jesus' "mighty works," these cities remained hardened. Secondly, it highlights the principle of **Greater Accountability**, asserting that spiritual privilege brings greater responsibility. Jesus explicitly states that those who receive more light and revelation are held to a higher standard of judgment, a concept echoed elsewhere in scripture, such as when Jesus teaches that "from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded" ([Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Accountability for Knowledge")). Thirdly, the phrase "sackcloth and ashes" vividly portrays **The Nature of Genuine Repentance**, signifying not merely regret but a radical, public, and humbling turning from sin, as exemplified by the king of Nineveh's response to Jonah's preaching ([Jonah 3:6](/jonah/3-6 "King of Nineveh Repents")). Finally, Jesus' pronouncement underscores the theme of **Divine Justice**, revealing God's righteous judgment against persistent rebellion and His unwavering commitment to hold all humanity accountable for their response to His truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Greek, _ouaí'_):** G3759. A primary exclamation of grief, sorrow, or prophetic denunciation. In this context, it is not merely an expression of pity but a solemn declaration of impending judgment or calamity. It signifies a divine pronouncement of condemnation against those who have incurred God's displeasure through their actions, or in this case, their inaction in the face of overwhelming evidence.
* **mighty works (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** G1411. From `dýnamai` (to be able); refers to force, power, or ability, specifically miraculous power. It often implies a miracle itself, a supernatural manifestation, or an act of divine power that confirms God's presence and authority. These were not mere human feats but undeniable demonstrations of God's intervention through Jesus.
* **repented (Greek, _metanoéō'_):** G3340. From `metá` (after, with) and `noiéō` (to perceive, think); literally, "to think differently or afterwards," implying a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior. It signifies a moral reconsideration, feeling compunction, and turning away from sin towards God. This is the spiritual transformation that Chorazin and Bethsaida failed to experience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida!":** This opening phrase is a powerful prophetic lament and condemnation. The repetition of "woe" emphasizes the severity of the judgment and the deep sorrow Jesus feels over their spiritual condition. It is a direct address, highlighting the personal accountability of these specific cities.
* **"for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon,":** Jesus provides the reason for the "woe." He contrasts the privileged position of Chorazin and Bethsaida, who witnessed His powerful miracles firsthand ("mighty works"), with the hypothetical scenario of these same works being performed in Tyre and Sidon. This sets up a profound comparison, elevating the guilt of the Galilean cities.
* **"they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.":** This clause reveals the depth of Chorazin and Bethsaida's spiritual blindness and hardness of heart. Jesus asserts that even the notoriously pagan and wicked cities of Tyre and Sidon, if given the same divine revelation, would have responded with genuine, immediate, and outwardly demonstrable repentance, symbolized by the traditional signs of "sackcloth and ashes." This is a hyperbolic statement designed to underscore the extreme unresponsiveness of the Jewish cities.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 11:21 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, seen in Jesus' assertion that Tyre and Sidon "would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes" if they had witnessed the same miracles. This is not a literal prediction of their historical repentance but a deliberate exaggeration to emphasize the profound spiritual insensitivity of Chorazin and Bethsaida. This hyperbole is intrinsically linked to **Contrast**, as Jesus starkly compares the unresponsiveness of the privileged Jewish cities with the hypothetical, yet more favorable, response of the pagan cities known for their wickedness. This contrast serves to highlight the greater culpability of those who reject greater light. Finally, **Symbolism** is evident in the phrase "sackcloth and ashes." This ancient Near Eastern idiom is a powerful symbol of deep mourning, humility, and genuine, transformative repentance, visually communicating a complete turning away from sin and a plea for divine mercy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 11:21 profoundly illustrates the theological principle of divine accountability, where spiritual privilege directly correlates with increased responsibility. The cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida, having been saturated with the direct presence and miraculous power of Jesus, were held to a higher standard than those who had never encountered such clear revelation. Their failure to repent, despite overwhelming evidence, underscores the gravity of rejecting God's overtures of grace. This passage serves as a timeless warning that proximity to truth, or even exposure to miraculous power, does not automatically guarantee salvation; rather, it intensifies the demand for a humble, repentant response. It also highlights God's righteous judgment, which is meted out according to the light received, emphasizing that persistent unbelief in the face of divine truth will incur a more severe condemnation.

* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Accountability for Knowledge")
* [Romans 1:20](/romans/1-20 "God's Invisible Qualities Clearly Seen")
* [Hebrews 2:3](/hebrews/2-3 "How Shall We Escape If We Neglect So Great a Salvation?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 11:21 serves as a piercing mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to honestly assess our own response to the abundant spiritual light and truth we have received. We live in an era where the full revelation of God in Christ is readily available through Scripture, preaching, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Are we, like Chorazin and Bethsaida, growing complacent or hardened despite our spiritual privileges? This verse calls us to a posture of constant vigilance against spiritual apathy and to cultivate a heart that is quick to repent and respond to God's Word. It reminds us that knowledge without obedience, and privilege without transformation, lead to greater condemnation. Therefore, we are urged to not merely hear the truth but to actively embody it, allowing God's grace to lead us to genuine repentance and a life of humble obedience, lest we, too, stand condemned for neglecting the great salvation offered to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have I been privileged to receive spiritual light and truth (e.g., access to Scripture, Christian community, personal experiences of God's grace)?**
* **Am I responding to this light with genuine repentance and obedience, or am I taking God's grace for granted?**
* **Are there areas in my life where I have been slow to repent or resistant to God's transformative work, despite clear revelation?**
* **How can I cultivate a more humble and responsive heart, ensuring that my spiritual privileges lead to deeper faithfulness rather than greater accountability?**

### FAQ
**Why would Tyre and Sidon have repented, but Chorazin and Bethsaida did not, even though they saw Jesus' miracles?**

Answer: Jesus' statement about Tyre and Sidon is a **hyperbolic comparison** designed to underscore the extreme hardness of heart in Chorazin and Bethsaida. It's not a literal historical prediction, but a rhetorical device to show that the unresponsiveness of the Galilean cities was so profound that even notoriously wicked pagan cities, if given the same overwhelming evidence of God's power, would have been moved to repentance. The key difference was not the *opportunity* (which Tyre and Sidon lacked), but the *response* to the opportunity. Chorazin and Bethsaida had the unique privilege of witnessing Jesus' "mighty works" firsthand, yet their hearts remained unyielding. This highlights the principle that greater revelation brings greater accountability, and that human will can stubbornly resist even the clearest demonstrations of divine truth. The issue was their spiritual blindness and unwillingness to humble themselves, unlike the hypothetical scenario for Tyre and Sidon, which serves as a stark indictment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Matthew 11:21 pronounces judgment upon cities for their unbelief, it implicitly points to the very heart of Christ's mission and the nature of His Kingdom. Jesus, the Son of God, came not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "Jesus Came to Save the World")). His "mighty works" were not merely displays of power, but tangible expressions of God's love and invitations to repentance and faith. The "woe" is a lament from the very one who offers true rest and salvation ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Jesus' Invitation to the Weary")). The ultimate "sackcloth and ashes" repentance that humanity needed was accomplished not by human effort, but by Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, where He bore the judgment for our sins, offering a path to true reconciliation with God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "Christ Became Sin for Us")). The unrepentance of Chorazin and Bethsaida highlights the profound need for the Spirit's work to soften hearts, a work initiated and made possible through the finished work of Christ. Thus, this passage serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of rejecting the Light of the World ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "Jesus, the Light of the World")), while simultaneously magnifying the grace offered to all who, unlike these cities, turn to Him in humble faith and find forgiveness and new life in His name ([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

Ezekiel 3:6

Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee.

Ezekiel 3:7

But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel [are] impudent and hardhearted.

Acts 12:20

¶ And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's [country].

Mark 6:45

¶ And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

Job 42:6

Wherefore I abhor [myself], and repent in dust and ashes.

John 12:21

The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.

Luke 9:10

¶ And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.