Matthew 11:22

KJV

But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G4133} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, It shall be {G2071} more tolerable {G414} for Tyre {G5184} and {G2532} Sidon {G4605} at {G1722} the day {G2250} of judgment {G2920}, than {G2228} for you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I tell you it will be more bearable for Tzor and Tzidon than for you on the Day of Judgment!

Berean Standard Bible

But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

American Standard Version

But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 11:22 delivers a profound and sobering declaration from Jesus, asserting that the judgment awaiting the unrepentant Galilean cities, despite having witnessed His powerful miracles and heard His direct teaching, will be more severe than that reserved for the notoriously wicked pagan cities of Tyre and Sidon. This verse underscores the principle of heightened accountability for those who receive greater light and revelation, highlighting the gravity of rejecting divine truth when it is clearly presented.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a series of "woes" (condemnations) Jesus pronounces upon specific cities—Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—found in [Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Matthew 11:20-24 - Jesus' Woes on Unrepentant Cities"). Immediately preceding [Matthew 11:22](/matthew/11-22 "Matthew 11:22 - Judgment for Unrepentant Cities"), Jesus directly addresses Chorazin and Bethsaida in [Matthew 11:21](/matthew/11-21 "Matthew 11:21 - Woe to Chorazin and Bethsaida"), lamenting their failure to repent despite the "mighty works" (δυνάμεις, _dynameis_, powerful miracles) performed there. The comparison to Tyre and Sidon (and later Sodom in [Matthew 11:23-24](/matthew/11-23-24 "Matthew 11:23-24 - Woe to Capernaum")) serves to emphasize the extraordinary privilege these Galilean cities enjoyed by hosting Jesus' ministry and the commensurate severity of their impending judgment due to their unbelief. This passage follows Jesus' discourse about John the Baptist and the resistance to both John's and His own ministry, setting a tone of divine disappointment and impending judgment for those who reject God's overtures.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre and Sidon were ancient Phoenician port cities located on the Mediterranean coast, north of Galilee in modern-day Lebanon. Historically, they were known for their immense wealth, maritime trade, idolatry (particularly the worship of Baal and Asherah), and moral corruption. Old Testament prophets frequently condemned them for their pride, commercialism, and hostility towards Israel (e.g., [Isaiah 23](/isaiah/23 "Isaiah 23 - Prophecy Against Tyre"), [Ezekiel 26-28](/ezekiel/26-28 "Ezekiel 26-28 - Prophecies Against Tyre and Sidon"), [Joel 3:4-8](/joel/3-4-8 "Joel 3:4-8 - Judgment on Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia")). By Jesus' time, they were still prominent cities, though under Roman rule. The Galilean cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, by contrast, were Jewish towns situated around the Sea of Galilee, the very epicenter of Jesus' early ministry. They had direct, personal exposure to Jesus' teachings, healing miracles, and the visible manifestation of God's kingdom. The stark contrast Jesus draws is between pagan cities, historically condemned but never having received the direct light of the Messiah, and Jewish cities, steeped in covenant history and now rejecting the very Son of God in their midst.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Accountability**, emphasizing that judgment is proportional to revelation. Those who have been exposed to more divine truth and power will face a stricter reckoning if they reject it. This principle is foundational to understanding God's righteous governance of the world and His final assessment of humanity, as seen in passages like [Luke 12:47-48](/luke/12-47-48 "Luke 12:47-48 - Responsibility and Judgment"). Secondly, it underscores the **Consequences of Unbelief and Spiritual Apathy**. The cities' failure to repent, despite overwhelming evidence of God's presence and power, serves as a solemn warning against spiritual indifference and hardness of heart. Their rejection of Jesus' call to repentance, a central message throughout [Matthew's Gospel](/matthew/3-2 "Matthew 3:2 - John the Baptist's Call to Repentance"), seals their fate. Lastly, the passage touches on the theme of **Privilege and Responsibility**. The Galilean cities were privileged to witness the Messiah firsthand, a privilege denied to Tyre and Sidon. This privilege, however, brought with it a profound responsibility to respond in faith and repentance, a responsibility they tragically failed to uphold.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **tolerable (Greek, _anektóteros'_):** Derived from `G414`, this comparative adjective means "more endurable" or "more bearable." It signifies a lesser degree of severity in judgment or suffering. Jesus is not suggesting that Tyre and Sidon will escape judgment entirely, but rather that their punishment on the "day of judgment" will be less severe than that of the Galilean cities, precisely because the latter had received a greater revelation of God's power and presence through His Son. This word underscores the proportional nature of divine justice.
* **day (Greek, _hēméra'_):** From `G2250`, this noun refers to a specific period, literally a 24-hour day, but figuratively, a defined period or epoch. In this context, "the day of judgment" refers to a specific, future time when God will render final judgment upon all humanity. The use of "day" emphasizes the certainty and definitiveness of this appointed time, a concept prevalent throughout biblical prophecy concerning God's ultimate reckoning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I say unto you":** Jesus emphatically introduces a solemn declaration, contrasting His authoritative pronouncement with the lament of the preceding verse. This phrase highlights the divine authority behind His words, signaling a weighty truth about to be revealed.
* **"It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon":** This clause sets up a stark comparison. "More tolerable" indicates a lesser degree of severity in their impending judgment. Tyre and Sidon, though historically wicked pagan cities, had not experienced the direct, personal ministry of the Son of God, nor had they witnessed His miracles.
* **"at the day of judgment":** This specifies the time and context of the comparison. It refers to the eschatological event when all humanity will stand before God to be judged according to their deeds and, crucially, their response to divine revelation. This phrase underscores the certainty and future reality of God's ultimate reckoning.
* **"than for you":** This concluding phrase directly addresses the unrepentant Galilean cities (Chorazin, Bethsaida, and implicitly Capernaum from the broader context). It reveals the astonishing and terrifying truth: their rejection of Jesus, despite His presence and power among them, incurs a far greater culpability and therefore a far more severe judgment than even the most notoriously wicked pagan cities.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is the most prominent, setting the pagan cities of Tyre and Sidon against the Jewish cities of Galilee. This juxtaposition highlights the paradox that those who received less divine light will face a less severe judgment than those who received the direct, personal revelation of God in Christ and rejected it. This contrast serves to amplify the culpability of the Galilean cities. The statement also functions as a **Prophetic Woe**, a common biblical form of condemnation pronounced by prophets against individuals or nations for their sin. Jesus, as the ultimate prophet, issues this woe as a divine warning. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** in the shocking nature of the comparison, designed to grab attention and underscore the extreme gravity of the Galilean cities' spiritual state. Finally, the phrase "day of judgment" is an example of **Eschatological Language**, pointing to a future, decisive divine intervention that brings ultimate justice and resolution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 11:22 is a profound statement on divine justice, emphasizing that God's judgment is not arbitrary but perfectly calibrated to the measure of light and opportunity received. It reveals that privilege in terms of spiritual revelation brings with it a commensurately greater responsibility. The unrepentant cities of Galilee, having witnessed the very Son of God perform miraculous works and proclaim the kingdom, incurred a higher degree of guilt than pagan cities like Tyre and Sidon, who, despite their historical wickedness, had never been granted such direct access to divine truth. This principle underscores God's righteousness and the seriousness of rejecting His overtures of grace, particularly when presented with undeniable evidence of His power and authority. It serves as a timeless warning that spiritual apathy in the face of truth has eternal and severe consequences.

* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much Is Given")
* [Romans 2:12-16](/romans/2-12-16 "Romans 2:12-16 - God's Judgment of Jews and Gentiles")
* [Hebrews 10:26-29](/hebrews/10-26-29 "Hebrews 10:26-29 - Warning Against Willful Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a powerful and sobering mirror for believers and non-believers alike in every generation. For those of us living in an age with abundant access to God's Word, Christian teaching, and the testimony of the Holy Spirit, Jesus' words in Matthew 11:22 demand serious introspection. We have received an immeasurable privilege: the full revelation of God in Christ, recorded in the Scriptures, and proclaimed through the church. If the unrepentant cities of Galilee faced a more severe judgment for rejecting Jesus' physical presence and miracles, how much greater is the accountability for those who, with the complete Bible in hand and the Gospel freely accessible, remain indifferent or willfully reject the truth? This verse calls us to examine our own hearts: are we taking our spiritual privileges for granted? Are we allowing the familiarity of the Gospel to breed contempt or apathy? The urgency of repentance and faith is not diminished by time; rather, it is amplified by the ever-increasing light of God's truth available to us. Let us respond with humility, gratitude, and obedience to the grace we have received, for to whom much is given, much will be required.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have I been privileged with greater spiritual light and truth in my life?**
* **Am I truly living in a way that reflects the weight of this privilege, or am I taking it for granted?**
* **What areas of my life might indicate spiritual apathy or unrepentance in the face of God's revealed will?**
* **How does the certainty of a "day of judgment" motivate me to live more faithfully and share the Gospel more urgently?**

### FAQ

**What does "more tolerable" mean in this context?**

Answer: "More tolerable" (Greek: _anektóteros_) means "more endurable" or "less severe." Jesus is not saying that Tyre and Sidon will escape judgment entirely, but rather that their punishment on the "day of judgment" will be less severe than that of the Galilean cities (Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum). This is because the Galilean cities had the unparalleled privilege of witnessing Jesus' miracles and hearing His direct teaching, yet they refused to repent. Their greater exposure to divine truth meant greater accountability for their rejection of it.

**Why are Tyre and Sidon used as a comparison?**

Answer: Tyre and Sidon were ancient Phoenician cities known for their historical wickedness, idolatry, and opposition to God's people, often condemned by Old Testament prophets (e.g., [Isaiah 23](/isaiah/23 "Isaiah 23 - Prophecy Against Tyre"), [Ezekiel 28](/ezekiel/28 "Ezekiel 28 - Prophecy Against Tyre")). By using these notoriously sinful pagan cities as a benchmark, Jesus dramatically emphasizes the shocking degree of culpability for the Jewish cities that rejected Him. The point is that even these pagan cities, which never had the direct, personal ministry of the Messiah, will fare better in judgment than the towns that saw Jesus' mighty works firsthand but remained unrepentant.

**Does this verse imply different degrees of punishment in judgment?**

Answer: Yes, this verse strongly implies that there will be varying degrees of punishment in the final judgment, proportional to the light and revelation an individual or community received during their lifetime. Jesus' statement "It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon... than for you" clearly indicates a spectrum of accountability. This concept is consistent with other biblical passages, such as [Luke 12:47-48](/luke/12-47-48 "Luke 12:47-48 - To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Required"), which speaks of servants receiving different numbers of lashes based on their knowledge of their master's will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Matthew 11:22 pronounces a chilling judgment, its Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the ultimate revelation of God's justice and mercy through Jesus Himself. Jesus, as the one who pronounces these woes, is simultaneously the Judge and the Savior. His very presence in Galilee, though rejected, was the embodiment of God's grace, offering repentance and reconciliation. The "day of judgment" He speaks of is ultimately the day when He, the Son of Man, will sit on His glorious throne, separating the sheep from the goats ([Matthew 25:31-33](/matthew/25-31-33 "Matthew 25:31-33 - The Judgment of the Nations")). The greater light that brought greater condemnation to Chorazin and Bethsaida was the light of Christ's own person and ministry, which foreshadowed His ultimate work on the cross. For those who embrace Him, the judgment is transformed into justification, as Christ has borne the full weight of sin's penalty ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Thus, the terrifying prospect of a "more tolerable" judgment for Tyre and Sidon finds its counterpoint in the glorious truth that for those who believe in Jesus, there is no condemnation at all, but eternal life ([John 3:16-18](/john/3-16-18 "John 3:16-18 - God So Loved the World")). Jesus, the rejected Messiah, becomes the cornerstone of salvation, offering escape from the very judgment He warns of, through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection ([Acts 4:11-12](/acts/4-11-12 "Acts 4:11-12 - Salvation Through Jesus Alone")).

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

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.

Matthew 12:36

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Hebrews 10:26

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Hebrews 10:31

[It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

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.