matthew-11:21-nasb,nasb

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:20-24

A lament over wasted privileges. Jesus is already approaching the sadder stage of his brief ministry; already to the eye of sense it begins to look like a failure. To some it was a failure. The seed had fallen by the wayside, and the birds had carried it away. A similar lament to that of Christ might well be uttered over many regions of favoured Christendom. I. THE GREATNESS OF THE PRIVILEGES . NO places on earth had been more privileged than these Galileean towns. Here Jesus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:20-30

Jesus rejected by the wise, but owned by babes and the Father. Having illustrated by one or two sayings of our Lord what was his judgment of John and of those who heard John's teaching, Matthew sets alongside of these others regarding the towns which had enjoyed exceptional opportunities of forming an adequate idea of his Person and work. The complaint against these cities was that "they repented not." They were not sinners above other men, as Sodom and Gomorrah had been. But when Jesus came... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 11:21

Woe unto thee, Chorazin . The modern Kerazeh , two miles from the northwest bank of the sea of Galilee. Among its ruins are the remains of a synagogue. The corn of both it and Kephar Ahim (probably Capernaum)was so excellent as to make R. Jose say that, had they been nearer Jerusalem, it would have been used for the temple offerings . Woe unto thee, Bethsaida . Schurer (I. Matthew 2:14 ; compare, however, II . 1:136) thinks that this is probably not identical with the large... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 11:21

Chorazin and Bethsaida - These were towns not far from Capernaum, but the precise situation is unknown. See “The Land and the Book” (Thomson), vol. ii. pp. 8, 9. Bethsaida means literally a “house of hunting” or “a house of game,” and it was probably situated on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, and supported itself by hunting or fishing. It was the residence of Philip, Andrew, and Peter, John 1:44. It was enlarged by Philip the Tetrarch, and called “Julia,” after the emperor’s daughter.Tyre and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 11:20-24

Matthew 11:20-24. Then began he to upbraid the cities Which he had often blessed with his presence, and in which he had preached many awakening sermons, and performed many astonishing miracles. It is observable, he had never upbraided them before. Indeed, at first they had received him with all gladness, Capernaum in particular. Wo unto thee, Chorazin, &c. That is, miserable art thou. For these are not curses or imprecations, as has been commonly supposed; but a solemn, compassionate... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:20-30

50. The judgment and mercy of God (Matthew 11:20-30)The Galilean towns of Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum, where Jesus did much of his work, were not as immoral as certain Gentile cities of the Old Testament era such as Tyre, Sidon and Sodom. However, because the Galilean towns had witnessed the ministry of Jesus then deliberately rejected him, they would suffer a more severe judgment than the Gentile towns that had never heard of him. Their greater privilege placed upon them a greater... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 11:21

Woe, &c. Figure of speech Maledictio. App-6 . A testimony as to His rejection. Chorazin. Not named elsewhere, and no miracles recorded as performed there, or at Bethsaida. See App-169 . been done = taken place. Tyre and Sidon. No mention of the Lord's having been there. Tyre. Now es Sur. Sidon. The Zidon of the O.T.; now Saida, twenty-five miles south of Beirout. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 11:21

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for 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.All three of these cities, situated within three or four miles of each other, were prosperous and populous in that day; and at least two of the Lord's apostles, Peter and Andrew, came from Bethsaida (John 1:44). Capernaum was the residence of Jesus and is called "his own city" (Matthew 9:1). Chorazin is... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 11:20-24

Matthew 11:20-24. Then began he to upbraid the cities— After reproving the Pharisees, Jesus pronounced heavy judgments against Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, cities which he had often blessed with his presence; for though they had heard him preach many awakening sermons, and seen him perform many astonishing miracles, such as would have converted Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom, cities infamous for their impiety, contempt of religion, pride, luxury, and debauchery; yet so great was their obstinacy,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 11:21

21. Woe unto thee, Chorazin!—not elsewhere mentioned, but it must have lain near Capernaum. woe unto thee, Bethsaida—"fishing-house," a fishing station—on the western side of the Sea of Galilee, and to the north of Capernaum; the birthplace of three of the apostles—the brothers Andrew and Peter, and Philip. These two cities appear to be singled out to denote the whole region in which they lay—a region favored with the Redeemer's presence, teaching, and works above every other. for if the mighty... read more