Matthew 11:20-30

Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Chorazin, Bethsaida, Tyre, Sidon, Capernaum and Sodom

All of these cities have something in common, they are unrepentant cities

Lets look at what the Word tells us about these cities

Bethsaida:

Peter, Philip, and Andrew were from Bethsaida

One commentator said that Peter, Philip, and Andrew were from here originally. but later Peter moves to Capernaum.

(ESV)

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

10 On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

We know that a blind man was healed in Bethsaida.

(ESV)

Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida

22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 And he sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

Chorazin:

Chorazin is mentioned very little in the New Testament,

in-fact,

We know that Chorazin and Bethsaida are towns in the area of Galilee. Bethsaida was on the northern shore of Galilee and we know that Galilee was the home town of Jesus.

Chorazin is only mentioned here and in a parallel in . But what is interesting is that most of the great works or miracles that Jesus did according to were in these cities. This can help us understand what John was saying in the last part of his gospel account.

Chorazin is only mentioned here and in a parallel in . We see in verse 20 that most of His miracles were done ether here or in Bethsaida. This gives us a reminder of how little we know about the works of Jesus.

John 21:25 ESV

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

John 21:

John 21:25 ESV

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

John 21:

They had the God

(ESV)

25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Tyre and Sidon were powerful coastal cities to the north of Israel. They were heathen cities.

we see that the prophets of the Old Testament talk about these cities.

They were

; ;

Because of time we wont go through these passages, but I would suggest that you do on your own time because Jesus is not telling the people that Tyre and Sidon are going to be okay, because these are evil cities. Instead what Jesus is saying is “if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, that have been done here they would have repented.”

Capernaum, and Sodom

the last two cities that Jesus mentions here

Jesus then asks a question. Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Capernaum:

We know that Jesus spent a lot of time here. because He made this town His home for a time.

(ESV)

13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,

There is a lot that is said about Capernaum concerning Jesus mighty works

(ESV)

Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

(ESV)

Jesus Heals Many

14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

(ESV)

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

9 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

The crowds were afraid, and they glorified God, but this would be short lived by the crowds.

Other things that happened in Capernaum were

Jesus call Matthew and then eats at his house and the pharisees question him about eating with sinners .

The bread of life passages in were in Capernaum.

There is a long list of miracles and important teachings that happened in Capernaum and we have just touched on a few. This helps us to understand why Jesus would ask the question that He did.

23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.”

Sodom:

We know the story of Sodom. Sodom is destroyed because of its wickedness. Abraham Intercedes for Sodom. He asks the LORD if there is fifty righteous in the city will he spare it the LORD agrees so he continues to ask all the way down to ten and the LORD agrees.

But there is not even ten people in the city found to be righteous, so the LORD destroys it.

This can be found in

That is why this is so Ironic, Jesus tells Capernaum if the mighty works had been done in Sodom that have been done here they would still be here.

Sodom was a disgusting city full of rape, and murder and it was the whole town that took part in these shameful acts.

What happened to Sodom was a picture of Gods judgment on sinful man, yet Sodom would do better on the day of judgment than that of Capernaum.

This makes us ask why?

I mean look at Sodom. Two angels show up to Lots house to rescue him from the judgment that was going to come and look at the way the people acted

(ESV)

4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. 5 And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.”

This is disgusting, horrible, evil…Gods messengers come into the city and the men wanted to rape them. This is sick, but what Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaida did to Jesus was worse. These were the Israelites Gods chosen people and this was Jesus the Messiah the anointed one, the one that would heal any that would ask, and they denied Him.

This in my opinion is the unforgivable sin.

(ESV)

Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

People in these cities had seen the power of God at work, but their hearts were hardened against the power of the Holy Spirit working in them, and this caused them to deny Jesus. Instead they said he is doing the miracles by the prince of demons.

This is unforgivable! if you die without the power of the Holy Spirit within you, you have no hope of salvation.

Jesus goes on to say

(ESV)

Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest

25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

For the most part, It was the educated, the religious leaders that were rejecting the LORD and they were the ones that were turning the hearts of the people away from Jesus.

These religious leader were the “wise” the “understanding”

(ESV)

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. ..

So the Father has hidden these things from the wise and understanding of these cities, and revealed them to the children.

the children are the tax collectors like Matthew, the fishermen like Peter and Andrew, the prostitutes, the sodomites, the thief's, the murder's, the druggies, the drunk’s, the depressed. Those that know they don’t have it together. That is the children that Jesus is thanking God the Father for. Not the religious.

(ESV)

12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

We then move into this beautiful picture of the Trinity.

(ESV)

27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

We have this picture of The Son and The Father in togetherness of intimate knowledge of each other. With the revelation given to people by the Spirit of God that also knows the Father and Son

Then Jesus cries out

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Come to me sexual immoral, come to me tax collectors, come to me pharisees, and I will give you rest

Maybe that is you here today. Maybe your the sexual immoral or maybe you are the pharisee trying to keep a law that you can’t do, one that will lead you to hell.

You need to take the yoke off, i am talking about the yoke of slavery. I am not only talking to the unbelievers right now, yes they need to take of the yoke of slavery as well because it is leading them to hell. This is the yoke of unbelief in the one that did everything for you on a cross when He took your sins upon himself. But believers, those of you who love the Lord and follow him. you cannot be yoked to Jesus, and sexual immorality, or Jesus and the law.

This new Hebrew roots movement that is going on in the country that says we have to follow the old testament laws like the Sabath or not eating pork and things like that. That is not Christianity.

You cannot be yoked to anything and Jesus. Just Jesus. Do you want rest for your souls, yoke yourselves to Jesus. His burden is light. He is gentle and lowly in spirit. He will give you rest.

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