Bible Strands
Matthew 11:24
But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the residents of Capernaum immediately after pronouncing their impending downfall in the preceding verse. He speaks this declaration during his Galilean ministry while contrasting the fate of a privileged town with that of historically wicked cities.
The words — The Greek term ἀνεκτότερον (anektoteron) literally means "more tolerable," establishing a comparative scale for divine judgment. Jesus frames the statement with πλὴν (plēn), rendered as "But," to sharply pivot from the previous warning to this specific verdict.
The thread — The identical judgment standard appears in Matthew 10:15 and Matthew 11:22, which extend the "more bearable for Sodom" comparison to other unresponsive towns. The procedural warning against rejecting messengers is paralleled in Mark 6:11.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to acknowledge that proximity to divine works increases accountability rather than guaranteeing favor. It demands a direct evaluation of one's own response to revealed truth without relying on religious heritage or geographic advantage.
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
But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Cross-references
- 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.
- Matthew 11:22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
- 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.”
- Lamentations 4:6 The punishment of the daughter of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instant without a hand turned to help her.
- Luke 10:12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.