Matthew 11:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} thou {G4771}, Capernaum {G2584}, which {G3588} art exalted {G5312} unto {G2193} heaven {G3772}, shalt be brought down {G2601} to {G2193} hell {G86}: for {G3754} if {G1487} the mighty works {G1411}, which {G3588} have been done {G1096} in {G1722} thee {G4671}, had been done {G1096} in {G1722} Sodom {G4670}, it would have remained {G302}{G3306} until {G3360} this day {G4594}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And you, K'far-Nachum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Sh'ol!b For if the miracles done in you had been done in S'dom, it would still be in existence today.

Berean Standard Bible

And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.

American Standard Version

And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades: for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 11:23, Jesus pronounces a severe and poignant judgment upon Capernaum, a city that had been the epicenter of His Galilean ministry and the recipient of unparalleled divine revelation through His presence and numerous miracles. Despite being "exalted unto heaven" by this immense spiritual privilege, the city's widespread impenitence and rejection of His mighty works sealed its fate, leading to a prophetic declaration of its utter downfall and desolation, a judgment more severe than even that meted out to the notoriously wicked city of Sodom, underscoring the principle that greater light brings greater accountability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a series of "woes" Jesus pronounces upon the unrepentant cities of Galilee—Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—found in [Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Matthew 11:20-24 - Woes to Unrepentant Cities"). These pronouncements immediately follow Jesus' commendation of John the Baptist and His invitation to the weary, highlighting a stark contrast between those who recognize and respond to the Kingdom of God and those who remain hardened despite abundant evidence. The intensity of Jesus' condemnation here underscores the gravity of rejecting divine truth when it is clearly presented, setting the stage for the escalating opposition He would face.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Capernaum was a prosperous fishing village and a significant customs post on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, strategically located on a major trade route. Its economic vitality and strategic position made it an ideal base for Jesus' public ministry, as recorded in [Matthew 4:13](/matthew/4-13 "Matthew 4:13 - Jesus Settles in Capernaum"). The city witnessed an extraordinary concentration of Jesus' teachings and miracles, including healings, exorcisms, and even raising the dead. The phrase "exalted unto heaven" does not refer to Capernaum's physical elevation but metaphorically signifies its immense spiritual privilege due to the direct, personal presence of the Messiah and the overwhelming display of divine power within its borders. The comparison to Sodom, a city famously destroyed for its egregious wickedness in [Genesis 19:24-25](/genesis/19-24-25 "Genesis 19:24-25 - The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"), serves as a powerful cultural benchmark for divine judgment, emphasizing the profound moral and spiritual failure of Capernaum.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is **Divine Accountability and Judgment**, particularly that **Greater Light Brings Greater Judgment**. Capernaum's unparalleled exposure to Jesus' ministry meant it had received the most profound spiritual "light," making its rejection of Him a more grievous offense than that of cities like Sodom, which never had such a clear manifestation of God's truth. This highlights the theme of **Unbelief Despite Overwhelming Evidence**, demonstrating the human heart's capacity to resist even irrefutable proof of God's presence and power. The passage also introduces the theme of **Prophetic Warning and Fulfillment**, as Jesus' pronouncement foreshadows Capernaum's eventual decline and desolation, serving as a timeless caution against spiritual indifference and impenitence. The principle that "to whom much is given, much will be required" is powerfully articulated here, echoing the broader biblical narrative of divine justice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **exalted (Greek, _hypsóō'_):** From G5312, meaning "to elevate (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it refers to Capernaum's metaphorical elevation to a position of immense spiritual privilege and advantage due to the direct presence and ministry of Jesus Christ. The city was "lifted up" by the divine revelation it received.
* **brought down (Greek, _katabibázō'_):** From G2601, meaning "to cause to go down, i.e. precipitate." This word stands in stark contrast to "exalted," signifying a forceful and complete reversal of fortune. It denotes a precipitous fall from its privileged status to utter ruin and desolation, a divine act of bringing low what was once high.
* **mighty works (Greek, _dýnamis'_):** From G1411, meaning "force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)." These are the supernatural deeds performed by Jesus—healings, exorcisms, and other demonstrations of divine power—which served as undeniable evidence of His identity and the arrival of the Kingdom of God. Capernaum's failure to repent despite witnessing these powerful manifestations is the basis for its severe judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven,"**: This clause establishes Capernaum's unique and privileged position. Jesus acknowledges the city's unparalleled spiritual advantage, having been the primary center of His ministry. The phrase "exalted unto heaven" is a hyperbole, emphasizing the extraordinary divine favor and revelation bestowed upon it, far beyond any other city, including ancient Sodom.
* **"shalt be brought down to hell:"**: This pronounces the judgment. The "hell" here is the Greek word _Hades_ (G86), which properly refers to the unseen realm of the dead. However, in this context, it is used metaphorically to signify utter ruin, desolation, and destruction—a complete reversal of its "exalted" status. It implies a profound and devastating downfall, not necessarily eternal damnation for the city itself, but its reduction to oblivion as a thriving center.
* **"for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom,"**: This introduces the rationale for the severe judgment, using a hypothetical comparison. Jesus posits that the miraculous deeds (_dynameis_) performed in Capernaum were so compelling that if even a city as notoriously wicked as Sodom had witnessed them, their response would have been different. This highlights the overwhelming evidence Capernaum had received.
* **"it would have remained until this day."**: This concludes the hypothetical, emphasizing the profound difference in potential response. Jesus suggests that Sodom, despite its depravity, would have repented and thus been spared destruction if it had been given the same opportunity and witnessed the same divine power as Capernaum. This stark comparison underscores the magnitude of Capernaum's sin: rejecting the Messiah Himself despite irrefutable proof.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 11:23 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "exalted unto heaven," which dramatically emphasizes Capernaum's unparalleled spiritual privilege, not its literal physical height. This exaggerated language underscores the immense divine favor the city enjoyed. **Juxtaposition** is central to the verse, contrasting Capernaum's former "exaltation" with its prophesied descent "to hell," highlighting the severe reversal of fortune due to its impenitence. Furthermore, the comparison of Capernaum to Sodom creates a powerful **analogy** and **irony**. Sodom, a byword for wickedness and divine judgment, is presented as potentially more receptive to divine truth than Capernaum, which had the very Son of God in its midst. This ironic twist underscores the profound spiritual blindness and stubbornness of Capernaum's inhabitants. The entire declaration functions as a **Prophetic Judgment**, a solemn pronouncement of future desolation rooted in the city's present spiritual condition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 11:23 is a profound theological statement on divine justice, accountability, and the consequences of rejecting grace. It articulates the principle that spiritual privilege carries immense responsibility. God's judgment is not arbitrary but is directly proportional to the light and revelation received. Capernaum's condemnation is not because it was inherently worse than Sodom, but because it rejected the clearest manifestation of God's truth and power in the person of Jesus Christ. This passage underscores the seriousness of unbelief in the face of divine evidence and serves as a sober reminder that opportunities for repentance, though abundant, are not limitless.

* [Luke 12:48](/luke/12-48 "Luke 12:48 - To Whom Much is Given")
* [Hebrews 10:26-29](/hebrews/10-26-29 "Hebrews 10:26-29 - Consequences of Willful Sin")
* [Romans 2:4-5](/romans/2-4-5 "Romans 2:4-5 - Hardness of Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 11:23 serves as a timeless and sobering warning for all who have been exposed to the Gospel's truth and the transformative power of God. It compels us to consider our own response to the spiritual light we have received. In an age of unprecedented access to biblical teaching, theological resources, and Christian community, we, like Capernaum, are "exalted unto heaven" in terms of spiritual privilege. This verse calls us to profound introspection, urging us to examine whether our lives reflect genuine repentance, faith, and obedience commensurate with the revelation we have received. It challenges any complacency or indifference to God's Word, reminding us that spiritual apathy in the face of clear truth is not benign but carries significant eternal consequences. Our response to Jesus Christ, the ultimate revelation of God, determines our destiny.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways have I been "exalted unto heaven" through exposure to God's truth and the Gospel?**
* **Am I actively responding to the spiritual light I've received with genuine repentance and faith, or am I demonstrating a hardened heart like Capernaum?**
* **What "mighty works" of God have I witnessed in my life or in the world around me, and how have they impacted my belief and obedience?**
* **How does the principle of "greater light, greater judgment" shape my understanding of my own spiritual responsibility and my urgency to share the Gospel with others?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean for Capernaum to be "exalted unto heaven" and "brought down to hell"?**

Answer: The phrase "exalted unto heaven" is **hyperbolic**, meaning Capernaum was given an extraordinary spiritual privilege, not a literal physical elevation. It became the primary center of Jesus' ministry, witnessing countless miracles and teachings directly from the Son of God. To be "brought down to hell" (Greek: _Hades_) signifies a complete and devastating reversal of this privilege. While _Hades_ can refer to the realm of the dead, in this context, it metaphorically means utter ruin, desolation, and oblivion for the city itself. Historically, Capernaum did indeed fall into ruin and was eventually abandoned, fulfilling this prophetic judgment. It's a dramatic declaration of its spiritual and eventual physical downfall.

**Why was Capernaum's judgment considered worse than Sodom's?**

Answer: Jesus explicitly states that if the "mighty works" (miracles) performed in Capernaum had been done in Sodom, Sodom would have repented and "remained until this day." This highlights the core reason: **greater light brings greater accountability.** Sodom was destroyed for its extreme wickedness ([Genesis 19:24-25](/genesis/19-24-25 "Genesis 19:24-25 - Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah")), but it never had the direct, personal presence of the Messiah performing undeniable miracles. Capernaum, however, witnessed the clearest possible manifestation of God's truth and power in Jesus Christ and still largely rejected Him. Its sin was not merely moral depravity but the profound spiritual offense of rejecting the Son of God Himself, making its culpability far greater.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 11:23, while a pronouncement of judgment, ultimately points to Christ as the ultimate revelation of God and the decisive factor in humanity's destiny. Capernaum's condemnation underscores the profound truth that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a teacher, but the very Son of God, whose presence brings either salvation or judgment. The "mighty works" performed in Capernaum were not just displays of power but signs pointing to His divine identity and the inauguration of the Kingdom of God. The rejection of these signs, and thus of Christ Himself, sealed Capernaum's fate. This passage foreshadows the broader New Testament theme that humanity's response to Jesus determines their eternal standing. He is the light of the world, and those who reject Him remain in darkness, facing the ultimate judgment, as articulated in [John 3:18-19](/john/3-18-19 "John 3:18-19 - Judgment for Unbelief"). Conversely, those who receive Him and believe in His name are given the right to become children of God ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Receiving Christ")). Thus, Capernaum's historical judgment serves as a timeless warning, urging all to embrace the grace offered through Christ before the day of final reckoning, when all will stand before the Son of Man, who has been given all authority to judge ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Son as Judge")).

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

John 4:46

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

John 4:54

This [is] again the second miracle [that] Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

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:

Genesis 13:13

But the men of Sodom [were] wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Revelation 11:8

And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.