Matthew 11:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

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

NASB: Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.'

CSB: But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

NLT: I tell you, even Sodom will be better off on judgment day than you.'

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

NKJV: But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

This echoes what Christ said about Chorazin and Bethsaida in verse 22. God's judgment against the utterly wicked town of Sodom will be more bearable than His judgment against the people of the Jewish town of Capernaum, where Jesus was based during much of His ministry on earth.

This declaration implies several important things. First, the people of the land of Sodom—meaning the city and the area around it—will experience the day of God's judgment, despite already having been completely wiped off the face of the earth (Genesis 19:23–25). Scripture implies a clear distinction between the end of one's earthly life and the ultimate judgment of God.

Second, as in verse 22, Jesus is declaring judgment for Israelites, members of God's chosen nation Israel. This contradicts what many Jewish people of the time seem to have believed. The prevailing thought may have been that merely being an Israelite who followed the Law would spare them from judgment (Matthew 3:9). In contrast, Jesus points to repentance from sin and belief in Him as the Messiah as the difference between salvation and damnation (John 3:36).

Third, also as in verse 22, this verse lends weight to the idea that God's judgment carries differing levels of "bearability." Scripture give no details about this—and any eternal judgment is a horrible thing—yet there does seem to be a sense in which greater sins merit greater punishment.

Matthew 11:20–24 contains Jesus' pronouncement of judgment on the Jewish cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. The people of those cities saw the powerful miracles of Jesus with their own eyes, but they did not repent. Demonstrating godly knowledge of both what is, as well as what could have been, Jesus notes that wicked, pagan Gentile cities such as Tyre and Sidon would have repented in the same circumstances. He quips that these Gentiles will find God's judgment more bearable than Chorazin and Bethsaida will. Sodom would not have been wiped out if they had seen Jesus do what Capernaum saw. Sodom's judgment will be more tolerable than that of Capernaum.

John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask if Jesus is really the Messiah. Jesus gives them a specific answer to use to reassure John and then upholds John to the crowds. John fulfills the prophecy about the one who would prepare the people for the Messiah. This generation, though, refused to hear John or Jesus, deciding John had a demon and Jesus was a glutton and drunkard. Jesus condemns the cities that refuse to repent and thanks the Father for revealing the truth to little children. He offers rest for those who are weary and burdened.

Matthew 11 follows Jesus' instructions to the apostles about taking His message and miracles to the towns of Israel with His own continued ministry of teaching (Matthew 10). Jesus answers a question from John the Baptist's followers, and upholds John's ministry. Jesus condemns several cities in Galilee for rejecting His teaching, despite obvious signs. He thanks His Father for hiding the truth from those who arrogantly think they are wise. He offers rest for those who will take His yoke. This leads to further confrontations with critics, recorded in chapter 12.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.