Bible Strands
Matthew 10:15
Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his twelve disciples during the commissioning discourse, immediately after instructing them to shake the dust from their feet upon rejection. He speaks to them as he prepares to send them out into hostile territory.
The words — ἀνεκτὸτερον (anektoteron) translates to "more tolerable," and ἔσται (estai) means "it will be." These terms establish a comparative judgment regarding future accountability.
The thread — The warning echoes the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in 2 Peter 2:6 and the prophetic condemnation in Ezekiel 16:48. Jesus applies similar logic regarding increased accountability for those who hear his message in John 15:22.
Why it lands — The text demands that listeners recognize rejection of the messengers as a direct rejection of the message, carrying severe eschatological consequences. It requires readers to weigh the gravity of their response to the proclaimed word against historical judgments.
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
Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Cross-references
- John 15:22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
- 2 Peter 2:6 if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly;
- Ezekiel 16:48 As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, your sister Sodom and her daughters never did as you and your daughters have done.
- Matthew 11:22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
- Luke 10:11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off as a testimony against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’
- 1 John 4:17 In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.
- Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
- Mark 6:11 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that place, as a testimony against them.”
- 2 Peter 2:9 if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
- 2 Peter 3:7 And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.