MPV Commentary

Outburst of Feeling Suggested to the Mind of Jesus by the Result of His Labors in Galilee.

The connection between this passage and what precedes it is clear, indicating that it was delivered on the same occasion as a new series of reflections in the same vein.

20 Then he began to rebuke the cities where most of his mighty works were done because they did not repent.

21 Woe to you, Chorazin! This city is not mentioned elsewhere but must have been located near Capernaum. Woe also to you, Bethsaida, a fishing station on the western side of the Sea of Galilee and north of Capernaum. These two cities are singled out to represent the entire region where they were situated, an area that was favored with Jesus' presence, teaching, and works above all others.

If the mighty works done in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, ancient commercial cities on the northeastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, they would have repented long ago. These cities were known for their wealth and prosperity, which led to luxury and its accompanying evils – irreligion and moral degeneracy. Despite being repeatedly foretold in prophecy and once again fulfilled by victorious enemies, Tyre and Sidon were rebuilt and flourished at the time.

22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

23 And as for you, Capernaum, which was exalted to heaven – not even Chorazin and Bethsaida are said to have been elevated in this way. Since Jesus had His stated abode in Capernaum during the entire period of his public life in Galilee, it was the most favored spot on earth, the most exalted in privilege.

You will be brought down to hell; for if the mighty works done in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. Sodom incurred unspeakably less guilt than Capernaum because it did not do such violence to conscience.

24 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.

25 At that time Jesus answered and said – we are not to understand this as a new record but rather as a continuation of his previous discourse. The connection is close, and the word "answered" confirms this. What Jesus here "answered" was the melancholy results of his ministry, lamented over in the preceding verses.

It is as if he had said, "Yes; but there is a brighter side to the picture. Even in those who have rejected the message of eternal life, it is only their own pride that has blinded them, and the glory of the truth appears all the more in their inability to receive it. Not everyone has rejected it here; souls thirsting for salvation have drawn water with joy from the wells of salvation, the weary have found rest, the hungry have been filled with good things, while the rich have been sent empty away."

26 I assent to you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth – this phrase conveys adoring acquiescence, holy satisfaction with God's law of procedure.

Because you have hidden these saving truths from the wise and prudent – those who pride themselves on their speculative or philosophical attainments, as well as men of worldly shrewdness – it is not for them to speak or speculate but to listen to Him from whom they have broken loose. They must learn whether there is any recovery for them at all and on what principles.

27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father – the whole administration of the kingdom of grace has been entrusted to Jesus by His Father.

And no man knows the Son, but the Father; neither does any man know the Father, except the Son and those to whom the Son will reveal Him – this saying asserts the mutual and exclusive knowledge between the Father and the Son. This claim to equality with the Father is beyond dispute.

28 Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest – these words convey incomparable gentleness and sweetness.

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls – as Christ's willingness to empty Himself of His Father's requirements brought ineffable repose to His own Spirit, so he invites all to follow Him with the assurance of the same experience.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light – this paradoxical statement conveys that rest experienced under Christ's wing makes all yokes easy and all burdens light.