Judgment More Tolerable for Tyre and Sidon - Matthew 11:22

Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus began, “to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto you, Chorazin! woe unto you, 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”, and in chapter eleven and verse twenty-two of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus said, “it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment” where we read:

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

The verse reads, “But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon ...” Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “I say” or “Jesus utters, declares and proclaims”, “unto you” which means “to the multitudes”,“that it shall be more tolerable” which means “it will be more endurable” “for Tyre” or “for the city in Galilee that means a rock” “and Sidon” which means “and the ancient and wealthy city of Phoenicia which is on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea and less than 20 miles (30 km) north of Tyre”. Matthew shared how Jesus told the multitudes it will be more “endurable” for the cities of “Tyre and Sidon” than those to whom He is about to compare.

The verse goes on to say, “... in the day of judgment, than for you.” Matthew added the words, “in the day” which means “in the last day of this present age which is the day Christ will return from heaven, raises the dead, holds the final judgment and perfects his kingdom” “of judgment” or “of trial, contest, subjection and opinion or decision given concerning anything”, “than for you” which means “compared to the multitudes who have not received Jesus”. Matthew shared how Jesus told the multitudes who were from the cities of “Chorazin and Bethsaida” the “judgment” day for “Tyre and Sidon” would be more “tolerable” than for them.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how there are levels of “judgments” that cities and people shall endure. Those who have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and refused to receive Him as “Savior and Lord” shall know a greater “judgment” than those who receive Him. The people in “Chorazin and Bethsaida” heard Jesus and saw him perform many miracles while He was among them, and yet, they refused Him. Jesus' pronouncement was “woe” unto them, and those who reject Him today can expect no less if they reject Jesus who is the only “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Matthew shares how Jesus declares, “Capernaum, which are exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hell ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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