Luke 10:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.

NIV: But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

NASB: But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.

CSB: But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

NLT: Yes, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you.

KJV: But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.

NKJV: But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.

Jesus is comparing how Gentiles would respond to His miracles to how Jewish cities did respond. Chorazin and Bethsaida witnessed extensive miracles of healing, exorcisms, and even the feeding of thousands of people with a tiny meal. Yet, for the most part, the people reject Jesus' call to repentance. If He had performed those same miracles in Tyre and Sidon, "they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes" (Luke 10:13).

Tyre and Sidon are significant port cities on the coast of the Mediterranean. Bethsaida is on the northern tip of the Sea of Galilee near where Jesus fed thousands; Chorazin is likely near Capernaum where Jesus lived. Jesus pairs the cities to represent geographic areas. Jesus' point is that He spent a great deal of time ministering in and around Capernaum and Chorazin and almost no time in Tyre and Sidon. In fact, He only went to Tyre and Sidon because He wanted a quiet place in which to teach the disciples, and only one miracle is recorded (Mark 7:24–30).

The unpopular fact of human sin means those who do not accept Jesus as their savior will go to hell (John 3:16–18, 36). This verse, however, indicates there are different levels of punishment in hell. The more an unbeliever knows about God, Jesus, and the offer of salvation (Romans 1:18–21) and chooses to reject that offer (Matthew 7:7–8), the more they are culpable for their sin of rebellion. Chorazin and Bethsaida—and especially Capernaum (Luke 10:15)—saw Jesus' miraculous powers and heard Him teach. The people around Tyre and Sidon witnessed comparatively little. Consequently, the people of northeastern Galilee will face a much harsher judgment in eternity than the Gentiles of Phoenicia.

If, however, He had ministered to Tyre and Sidon as much as He had in northeast Galilee, the pagan Gentiles would have repented and mourned their sin (Luke 10:13). So, why didn't He?

God chose the Jews as His people. Not just to reveal to the world God's power and authority, but to invite the world to worship God. Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would bless the "families of the earth" (Genesis 12:2–3). Although Jesus ministered to Gentiles when they found Him, His mission was to invite the Jews to accept Him as their Messiah so they could start the work of converting the world (Romans 1:16). As a nation, they refused. And so, the Jews have temporarily lost their favored position until the "times of the Gentiles" is complete (Luke 21:24).

Jesus commissions seventy-two of His followers for a unique mission. They are sent into towns and villages, preparing people for Jesus' ministry. Those who accept the message will be blessed; those who reject it will be left behind. The disciples return celebrating what they have seen and accomplished. Jesus reminds them that salvation is the real victory. The parable of the good Samaritan explains that the obligation to love extends to anyone and everyone. A visit to the home of Martha and Mary offers a contrast between good things and the best things.

Luke 10 provides the bulk of the first section of what some refer to as Jesus' travelogue (Luke 9:51—19:27). In this extended description of travels and events, Jesus draws away from public ministry and theological debates. His focus is preparing His disciples for what will happen in Jerusalem, by teaching them about the kingdom of God. In Luke 9:51—11:13, the disciples gradually learn how to properly follow Jesus. Next, the Pharisees will reject Jesus (Luke 11:14–54) and Jesus will teach more about the kingdom (Luke 12:1—19:27). After the travelogue, Jesus will enter Jerusalem and face crucifixion.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.