20 Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will descend to Hades; for if the miracles had occurred in Sodom which occurred in you, it would have remained to this day. 24 Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you.”

Continuing the denunciation of “this generation” (11:16), Jesus sharpens His rhetoric, targeting specific cities where, it is said, most of His miracles took place. Recalling and affirming His direction for John the Baptist to observe the confirmatory signs of Jesus’ identity as Messiah, the Lord now denounces those who had an abundance of these signs, but still rejected them. His vitriol escalates with no reserve to include two “woes” and a warning of judgment, namely a prediction of punishment in Hades. Finally, the ultimate and acerbic insult, an unfavorable comparison with the contemporary Gentile cities of Tyre and Sidon, and with Sodom of OT infamy.

We observe a number of sobering points. First, the authentication of Christ was inextricably linked to His miraculous workings. These set Him apart from all imposters, of whom there was (and is) no lack, who proclaim themselves to be the Messiah. Second, the person and message of Jesus Christ is not a “take it or leave it” proposition. The consequences of rejecting Him are enormous.

Third, Hades (virtually synonymous with “hell”) is a real place and, despite excessive fear-mongering of past generations, there is still a place for such warnings today. Being a Christ-imitator (for that is what a disciple is) demands that we do as He did, namely, warn non-believers of the very real next-world consequence of this-world rejection of Christ. As unpalatable as that may seem in our “tolerant” society, our love for the lost compels us to do so.

Fourth, judgment is meted out according to the amount of light (revelation) received. Sodom did not receive as much light as the Galilean cities, so its judgment will not be as severe. While it is no great comfort to Sodomites because “more tolerable” is still judgment and Hades is still Hades, the point is that Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum be warned!

Father, give me the courage as well as the compassion to warn my non-believing friends and associates of the destiny I so want them to avoid.