Bible Strands
Luke 10:15
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades!
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus pronounces judgment on Capernaum immediately after comparing it to Tyre and Sidon, warning the city that its current exalted status will not save it.
The words — The Greek ὑψωθὴσῃ (hupsōthēsē) literally means "will you be lifted up," directly countering the city's presumed elevation with the reality of its descent to Hades.
The thread — The text's warning against exalted pride parallels Isaiah 14:13, while its descent motif aligns with the judgment described in 2 Peter 2:4, all anchored in the historical reality of Matthew 4:13.
Why it lands — The passage states that proximity to divine mission does not prevent judgment, requiring readers to evaluate their response to the message rather than rely on location or association.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 14:13 You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north.
- Matthew 4:13 Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
- 2 Peter 2:4 For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
- Matthew 11:23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
- Luke 13:28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.
- Genesis 11:4 “Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.”
- Deuteronomy 1:28 Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying: ‘The people are larger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the heavens. We even saw the descendants of the Anakim there.’”
- Isaiah 5:14 Therefore Sheol enlarges its throat and opens wide its enormous jaws, and down go Zion’s nobles and masses, her revelers and carousers!
- Jeremiah 51:53 Even if Babylon ascends to the heavens and fortifies her lofty stronghold, the destroyers I send will come against her,” declares the LORD.
- Ezekiel 26:20 then I will bring you down with those who descend to the Pit, to the people of antiquity. I will make you dwell in the earth below like the ancient ruins, with those who descend to the Pit, so that you will no longer be inhabited or set in splendor in the land of the living.