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.

But {G4133} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} it shall be {G2071} more tolerable {G414} for the land {G1093} of Sodom {G4670} in {G1722} the day {G2250} of judgment {G2920}, than {G2228} for thee {G4671}.

But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment it will be more bearable for the land of S'dom than for you!"

But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”

But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Context

Matthew 11:24 concludes Jesus' strong denunciation (often called "woes") against the unrepentant cities of Galilee where He had performed many mighty works: Chorazin, Bethsaida, and particularly Capernaum. These cities, despite witnessing Jesus' miracles and hearing His teachings firsthand, largely rejected His message. In this verse, Jesus draws a stark comparison between their future judgment and that of ancient Sodom, a city infamous for its extreme wickedness and divine destruction described in Genesis 19. The implication is that having greater light and opportunity brings greater accountability.

Key Themes

  • Greater Accountability: Jesus highlights the principle that knowledge and privilege bring increased responsibility. The people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum had witnessed the very Son of God, seen His miracles, and heard His direct teachings. Their rejection was therefore more egregious than that of Sodom, which did not have such direct divine revelation. This theme is echoed in Luke 12:48: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."
  • Divine Judgment: The verse unequivocally speaks of a future "day of judgment," a time when all will be held accountable before God. Jesus asserts His authority to speak concerning this ultimate reckoning. The comparison with Sodom underscores the severity of God's wrath against those who refuse to repent, even when confronted with overwhelming evidence of His truth.
  • Rejection of Light: The core issue for these Galilean cities was their refusal to believe and repent despite undeniable proof of Jesus' identity and mission. Their spiritual blindness and hardened hearts made their condemnation more severe than even the notoriously wicked Sodom.

Linguistic Insights

The key phrase "more tolerable" translates the Greek word anektoteron (ἀνεκτότερον), which means "more bearable" or "more endurable." This implies a gradient of punishment or a differing degree of suffering in the day of judgment. It suggests that while Sodom's judgment was severe, the judgment awaiting those who rejected Jesus' ministry in Capernaum and other cities would be even more intense, precisely because of the immense spiritual light they had rejected.

Practical Application

Matthew 11:24 serves as a solemn warning for all generations. It reminds us that proximity to truth and divine revelation increases our responsibility. For those who have heard the Gospel and witnessed its transformative power, there is a greater accountability to respond in faith and repentance. This verse encourages us to seriously consider our response to Jesus Christ, understanding that neglecting or rejecting His call has eternal consequences. It underscores the importance of responding to God's patience with genuine repentance and belief, rather than hardening our hearts.

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.

  • 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 11:22

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

  • Lamentations 4:6

    For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.

  • Mark 6:11

    And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

  • Luke 10:12

    But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back