King James Version

What Does Matthew 11:20 Mean?

Matthew 11:20 in the King James Version says “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:”

Matthew 11:20 · KJV

Context

18

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.

19

The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

20

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

21

Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

22

But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

Read Matthew 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'But wisdom is justified of her children.' Jesus concludes His comparison of John and Himself by appealing to results: divine wisdom is vindicated by its outcomes. The word 'wisdom' (σοφία/sophia) represents God's wise plan—sending John as austere prophet and Jesus as accessible Savior. 'Children' (τέκνων/teknōn) are the fruits or results: lives transformed, sinners saved, God glorified. The critics rejected both messengers, producing no fruit. But those who received John and Jesus produced abundant fruit—repentance, faith, transformed lives. Reformed theology applies this to apologetics: Christianity's truth is demonstrated not merely by arguments but by transformed lives. The gospel produces what nothing else can: genuine holiness, sacrificial love, joyful worship, enduring hope. This doesn't mean pragmatism (whatever works is true) but rather that truth produces characteristic fruit. False religion either crushes people (legalism) or excuses sin (antinomianism). Gospel truth liberates, transforms, and produces Christ-likeness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Greco-Roman culture highly valued σοφία (wisdom)—philosophical schools claimed to teach it. Jewish wisdom literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job) established wisdom as understanding God's ways. By Jesus's time, competing wisdom systems existed: Pharisaic tradition, Greek philosophy, Essene mysticism, apocalyptic speculation. Jesus claimed that God's wisdom—His redemptive plan—was validated by its results. John's and His ministries produced genuine repentance, faith, and transformation. The religious establishment's approach produced hypocrisy and oppression (Matthew 23). Early church apologists (Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Origen) used this argument: Christianity transformed lives in ways philosophy couldn't. Paganism didn't cure greed, lust, or cruelty; Christianity did. This apologetic continues: while critics dismiss Christianity, it continues producing transformed lives, sacrificial service, and enduring hope. The 'children' of divine wisdom vindicate its truth across centuries and cultures.

Reflection Questions

  1. What fruit (wisdom's children) has the gospel produced in your life that validates its truth?
  2. How do you respond to critics who dismiss Christianity—do you rely solely on arguments, or also point to transformed lives?
  3. In what ways has God's wisdom confounded what you initially thought was foolishness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
Τότε1 of 15

“Then”

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

ἤρξατο2 of 15

“began”

G756

to commence (in order of time)

ὀνειδίζειν3 of 15

“he to upbraid”

G3679

to defame, i.e., rail at, chide, taunt

τὰς4 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πόλεις5 of 15

“the cities”

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

ἐν6 of 15

“wherein”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αἷς7 of 15
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐγένοντο8 of 15

“were done”

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

αἱ9 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πλεῖσται10 of 15

“most”

G4118

the largest number or very large

δυνάμεις11 of 15

“mighty works”

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

αὐτοῦ12 of 15

“of his”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι13 of 15

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὐ14 of 15

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μετενόησαν·15 of 15

“they repented”

G3340

to think differently or afterwards, i.e., reconsider (morally, feel compunction)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 11:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 11:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 10:13-15Jeremiah 8:62 Timothy 2:25-26Isaiah 1:2-5Revelation 9:20-21Revelation 2:21

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