King James Version

What Does Matthew 11:21 Mean?

Matthew 11:21 in the King James Version says “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyr...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Matthew 11:21 · KJV

Context

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.

23

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.' Following His defense of John and Himself (v.7-19), Jesus pronounces judgment on Galilean cities that witnessed His miracles yet refused repentance. The verb 'upbraid' (ὀνειδίζειν/oneidizein) means to reproach, rebuke, censure harshly. These cities—Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum (v.21-23)—saw 'most of his mighty works' (αἱ πλεῖσται δυνάμεις/hai pleistai dynameis)—healings, exorcisms, nature miracles, resurrections. Yet they 'repented not' (οὐ μετενόησαν/ou metenoēsan). Greater revelation brings greater responsibility and greater judgment for rejection. Reformed theology emphasizes this principle: those exposed to clear gospel truth who persistently reject face severer judgment than those with less light (Luke 12:47-48, Hebrews 10:29). Miracles don't guarantee repentance—even dramatic evidence can be resisted by hardened hearts. This verse destroys the notion 'if only God gave more evidence, people would believe.' The problem isn't insufficient evidence but spiritual deadness requiring regeneration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Chorazin and Bethsaida were Galilean towns near Capernaum where Jesus concentrated His early ministry (Matthew 4:13). Most of His miracles occurred in this region: healings in Capernaum (Matthew 8:5-17, 9:1-8), feeding 5000 near Bethsaida (Luke 9:10-17), numerous exorcisms and healings. Yet these cities as communities rejected Him. After Pentecost, Christianity spread quickly in other regions but apparently made little impact in these Galilean towns. Archaeological evidence confirms their later decline and destruction. Jesus's pronouncement proved prophetic: they faced temporal judgment and eternal consequence. The contrast He draws (v.21-24) with pagan cities Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom is shocking: those notoriously wicked cities would have repented if they'd seen what Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum saw. Greater privilege means greater accountability. This warns against assuming that growing up in Christian contexts, hearing gospel regularly, or witnessing God's work guarantees salvation. Response to revelation determines destiny.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'mighty works' of God have you witnessed that should produce repentance and faith in your life?
  2. How does exposure to clear biblical teaching increase your responsibility and potential judgment if you don't respond?
  3. What does this passage teach about the relationship between miracles, evidence, and faith—why doesn't more evidence automatically produce belief?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
οὐαί1 of 26

“! woe”

G3759

woe

σοι2 of 26

“unto thee”

G4671

to thee

Χοραζίν,3 of 26

“Chorazin”

G5523

chorazin, a place in palestine

οὐαί4 of 26

“! woe”

G3759

woe

σοι5 of 26

“unto thee”

G4671

to thee

Βηθσαϊδάν·6 of 26

“Bethsaida”

G966

fishing-house; bethsaida, a place in palestine

ὅτι7 of 26

“! for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

εἰ8 of 26

“if”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

ἐν9 of 26

“in”

G1722

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

Τύρῳ10 of 26

“Tyre”

G5184

the city of tyre

καὶ11 of 26

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Σιδῶνι12 of 26

“Sidon”

G4605

sidon (i.e., tsidon), a place in palestine

γενόμεναι13 of 26

“had been done”

G1096

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

αἱ14 of 26

“which”

G3588

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

δυνάμεις15 of 26

“the mighty works”

G1411

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

αἱ16 of 26

“which”

G3588

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

γενόμεναι17 of 26

“had been done”

G1096

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

ἐν18 of 26

“in”

G1722

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

ὑμῖν19 of 26

“you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

πάλαι20 of 26
G3819

(adverbially) formerly, or (by relatively) sometime since; (elliptically as adjective) ancient

ἂν21 of 26

“long ago”

G302

whatsoever

ἐν22 of 26

“in”

G1722

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

σάκκῳ23 of 26

“sackcloth”

G4526

"sack"-cloth, i.e., mohair (the material or garments made of it, worn as a sign of grief)

καὶ24 of 26

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σποδῷ25 of 26

“ashes”

G4700

ashes

μετενόησαν26 of 26

“they would have 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 11:21 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 11:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 3:6-7Mark 6:45Matthew 15:21Acts 12:20Job 42:6John 12:21

Places in This Verse

Bethsaida 1Settlement · Modern: At Tell · 32.91°N, 35.63°E4 verses across 3 books
ChorazinSettlement · Modern: Khirbet Karraza · 32.91°N, 35.56°E2 verses across 2 books
SidonSettlement · Modern: Sandikli archaeological site in Sidon · 33.56°N, 35.37°E37 verses across 16 books
TyreSettlement · Modern: Tyre · 33.27°N, 35.20°E64 verses across 19 books
View all places in Matthew 11 →

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