Luke 10:13-16
13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14 But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.
16 “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
Luke 10:13-16: Verse-by-Verse Analysis
Verse 13: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.”
Jesus begins with a strong rebuke. Chorazin and Bethsaida are Jewish towns. They witnessed Jesus’ miracles. Despite this, they did not repent. Tyre and Sidon were Gentile cities known for their wickedness. Jesus says these cities would have repented if they had seen such miracles. Sackcloth and ashes symbolize deep repentance. This verse highlights the responsibility that comes with witnessing God’s works.
Verse 14: “But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.”
Jesus continues His rebuke. He warns of a harsher judgment for Chorazin and Bethsaida. Tyre and Sidon, despite their sins, will face a lighter judgment. This is because they did not have the same opportunity to witness Jesus’ miracles. The principle here is that greater revelation brings greater responsibility.
Verse 15: “And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.”
Capernaum was Jesus’ base during His ministry. It saw many of His miracles and teachings. Yet, it remained largely unrepentant. Jesus uses strong imagery here. Exaltation to heaven implies pride and self-righteousness. Being brought down to Hades signifies judgment and destruction. This verse underscores the consequences of rejecting Jesus despite clear evidence of His power.
Verse 16: “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
Jesus shifts focus to His disciples. He gives them authority. To hear the disciples is to hear Jesus Himself. To reject them is to reject Jesus. And to reject Jesus is to reject God the Father who sent Him. This verse emphasizes the unity between Jesus and His disciples. It also highlights the seriousness of rejecting their message.