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Gospel of Matthew Chapter 11 Woes

by Paul George  
6/13/2008 / Bible Studies

Matthew 11:20 24

"Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn't repent."

Jesus has dealt with the doubting of John and the attitude of the people towards John and Jesus (Matthew 11:2-19), beginning with verse twenty of Matthew chapter eleven, Jesus deals with the people who have not responded to His works. John may have wondered why Jesus was not acting in judgment, but Jesus is making clear that one day He will.

In the woes of verse twenty-one we find a denial of the claim made by many, "If only I could see signs, I would believe," this is not a true statement. The people in these towns had seen many signs Jesus was the Messiah and they did not believe. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Every day we see signs of the mighty works of God.

In the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum there may have been people that were impressed by the miracles Jesus performed but they did not repent and follow Jesus. Instead of believing and repenting they continued doing what they were doing before the performance of the miracles, they continued to do their own thing.

In his pronouncement of woes Jesus compares Chorazin and Bethsaida with Tyre and Sidon, pagan cities in Phoenicia, and Capernaum with Sodom.

Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom had come under the judgment of God in the past (Isaiah 23; Ezekiel 26-28; Joel 3.4; Amos 6.9-10; Zechariah 9:2-4; Genesis 18). But Jesus declares that their guilt was nowhere near that of the towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida. The reason the guilt of Tyre and Sidon was nowhere near that of Chorazin and Bethsaida was they had not seen the miracles of Jesus. Jesus said, "if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you" (Matthew 11:21-22 - WEB). This was a warning to the inhabitants of Chorazin and Bethsaida who may have been in the crowds Jesus was speaking to; on the Day of Judgment, those who have the opportunity not only to see the mighty works of Jesus but to also hear about them will be found guilty of a greater crime than those who have not had the opportunity to see and hear of the mighty works of Jesus.

Note what Jesus said about Capernaum, "You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, on the day of judgment, than for you (Matthew 11:23-24 WEB).

Note how Jesus sets apart the judgment upon Capernaum from that upon Chorazin and Bethsaida. The people in Capernaum are guiltier than the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida. After being rejected by the people of His hometown, Nazareth, Jesus made Capernaum the center of His ministry. It was in Capernaum many of the miracles of Jesus were performed (Matthew 8:5-13; Mark 2:1-12; Matthew 8:14-15; John 4:46-51).

Jesus claims that had the people in Sodom had the opportunity of hearing the kind of teaching and seeing the kind of miracles that Capernaum had. They would not have rejected Jesus as the people in Capernaum have rejected Him. This is a warning to all people that pride themselves on being better than others, even though it is simply because their circumstances in life have made it easier for them they are no better than those who behave far worse because their circumstances in life are more difficult.

In this judgment of Capernaum Jesus is not claiming Capernaum is worse than Sodom. Jesus is revealing to the people that there is no sin greater than that of rejecting the life and light that is in Jesus. When the light is rejected it ends in blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12.31).

In this present generation, just as it was in the generation of Jesus' day it is important the people understand a day of judgment awaits all men when all will be called to give an accounting of the deeds they have done in this life. It is also important we remember God is sovereign in the working out of His plan of salvation. Regardless of the events of the world and the claim by many we are entering into a new age when the world will become fit for the return of Jesus to establish His kingdom. The facts are revealed in the news media every day. What Jesus said about the events that will occur prior to His return is occurring. What the Apostle said about the last days is being fulfilled (2 Timothy 3:1-7). While there has always been evil men and imposters who have through deceit made their way into the churches we are seeing an increase. There is hardly a day goes by when we do not read or hear of pastors and teachers abusing children.

Today, there are pastors and teachers who are preaching and teaching sound doctrine, something a great number of church members do not want to hear. What happens when they dare stand before a congregation or a class and preach and teach sound doctrine? The answer, they are given the bums rush; they are tossed out the church door by the seat of the pants and the back of their necks. One of these days Jesus is going to ask those who toss out His chosen why they abused His chosen.

As to the idea someone would believe in Jesus if they witnessed a miracle, don't believe it. The people in Capernaum didn't believe in Jesus when He proved miracles while on the earth, what makes you think someone is going to believe some miracle now that He is in heaven. One of the great deceptions facing people today is the signs and wonders that are alleged to come through the workings of the Holy Spirit. We need to be aware; there are spirits that are working in the world today who are capable of deceiving through the use of signs and wonders.

This is one of the reasons why the Apostle John tells us we are to test all spirits. There are spirits that are indwelling men and women that do not come from the Lord. The spirits that come from the Lord are on a mission of not only physically healing but spiritual healing. Those who are not from the Lord are on a mission of destruction.

In these days persecution of Christians is increasing all over the world and will soon make its way into the United States. While it is often denied persecution of Christians does not exist in the United States there is a persecution existing in the United States that does not include murder. The form of persecution in the United States is the taking away of the rights of the true believers in Christ. The taking away of these rights is supported by the lawmakers and judges in this nation.

In a recent convention dealing with the preaching of holiness and sound doctrine during a question and answering session a young man stood and identified himself as a youth pastor and asked the speakers what they intended to do about his generation. The answer given to the young man was, "what are you going to do with what has been handed down to you." Today this generation is looking for a new brand of Christianity and new way to package doctrine so that it will be more appealing. There is no scriptural support for a new brand of Christianity, it has been tried in the past and has failed. There is no repackaging of doctrine so that it will be more appealing.

What we need to day is more of that old time religion that was good for Paul and Silas; that was good for our father and mothers. It is that old time religion, rather a belief in the faith that has been handed down through the preaching and teachings of the faithful that will get us into heaven.

Today, Christianity is at a pivotal point. A generation of Christians is passing away. A new generation is coming forth to carry the banner of Christ into the battle that has been raging since the birth of Christianity and beyond. What this generation accomplishes will determine what direction the church will go; will it be more numbers on the church register or more names written in the Book of Life.

Will Jesus look down upon the United States of America and say as He said nearly two thousand years ago concerning the cities condemned for their unbelief. Will Jesus say it will be more tolerable for those who have never heard the Gospel message and for you who have had many opportunities to hear the Gospel message and did not take advantage of the opportunities?

Retired pastor,Church of the Nazarene

Author of web site Exploring God's Word

www.thewordofgodonline.net

New American Standard Bible

King James Version

The World English Bible

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