Luke 10:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.

NIV: And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.

NASB: And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades!

CSB: And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will go down to Hades.

NLT: And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead. '

KJV: And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

NKJV: And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.

Seventy-two of Jesus' disciples receive His instructions before they scatter into towns and villages. On their journey, they are commissioned to heal, cast out demons, and prepare the people for Jesus' message of God's coming kingdom. If the towns do not accept their message, the disciples are to simply shake the dust off their feet and warn the people that God's kingdom is coming whether they like it or not (Luke 10:1–11, 17). Now, Jesus describes the reception that predominantly Jewish cities are giving to His signs and teaching compared to the theoretical reactions Gentile cities would have given had they witnessed the same evidence.

He begins by comparing the towns that will reject the disciples with Sodom (Luke 10:12). Then He compares Chorazin and Bethsaida, in northeast Galilee, with the Gentile Tyre and Sidon in Phoenicia (Luke 10:13–14). Now, He talks about Capernaum, His base of operations and the home of Andrew, Peter, James, and John.

Matthew combines Luke 10:12 and 15 in a way which more clearly parallels Luke 10:13–14:

And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you. (Matthew 11:23–24)

Capernaum probably witnessed more healings and other miracles than any other city on earth. And many did repent and choose to follow Jesus. But as a city, they did not; nor did the religious leaders.

"Hades" is a general term for the realm of the dead. Jesus uses it to mean the temporary place where unbelievers will go between their deaths and final judgment. The comparison with heaven and the mention of "judgment" (Luke 10:14) makes it clear that Jesus means a place of torment.

Luke 10:13–16 expands on Jesus' comment that rejecting His messengers would result in even harsher judgment than handed down to Sodom (Luke 10:12). Jesus laments that pagan Gentiles would accept the signs of the coming kingdom of God when Jewish cities wouldn't (Luke 10:13–16). Next, Jesus puts the disciples' success in proper context (Luke 10:17–24). Matthew 11:20–24 records a similar judgment but places it after Jesus' affirmation of John the Baptist (Luke 7:18–35).

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.