Jesus Begins to Upbraid Cities - Matthew 11:20

Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus questioned, “where-unto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows. And saying, We have piped unto you, and you have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and you have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a devil. 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”, and in chapter eleven and verse twenty of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus, “began … to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done” where we read:

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done,

because they repented not:

The verse reads, “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, ...” Matthew began with the words, “then began he” which means “at that time and moment Jesus started, initiated and made a beginning” “to upbraid” or “to reproach, revile, defame, chide and taunt” “the cities” which means “the dwelling places, abodes and habitations” “wherein most” or “where the largest number” “of his mighty works” or “of Jesus' performing miracles” “were done” which means “were accomplished, happened and appeared in history”. Matthew shared how Jesus started to “reproach and revile” the dwelling places where He performed His greatest miracles.

The verse goes on to say, “... because they repented not:” Matthew continued with the word, “because” which means “since and on account that” “they repented not” or “the people within those cities did not change their minds, thinking or abhorrence for their past sins”. Matthew shared how Jesus said “non-repentance” was His reason for “reviling” them.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus turned His attention to the people within “several cities” in which He performed mighty miracles. These “signs” should have at minimum caused the people to sorrow over their sinful condition, but they didn't shed a tear. God desires people everywhere to enter into a loving relationship with Him, and although they often turn away from His message, He is persistent in His pursuit that they to turn to Him.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus what would have happened in certain cities, “if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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