Is There Greater Judgment for Those Who Had More Revealed to Them? Matthew 11:20-24

Woe on Unrepentant Towns

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 

Because in these towns Jesus had revealed himself and his kingdom power, they deserved more accountability.  In our Western world people have been given a plethora of ways to hear the gospel, whereas in some areas of the world they have barely have had a chance.  I will never really understand why people fail to turn around and embrace Jesus as their Savior.  When you think about his life, death, resurrection and the abundant life he provides, I just don't get it.  

The only explanation is as Paul says, "The people of this world have been blinded so that the gospel is foolishness to them!"  1 Corinthians 1:18

21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 

God’s judgment was fulfilled against these cities. Each one of them was destroyed long ago and has been desolate for generations upon generations.(Guzik)

Chorazin and Bethsaida - These were towns not far from Capernaum, but the precise situation is unknown.

Bethsaida means literally a "house of hunting" or "a house of game," and it was probably situated on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, and supported itself by hunting or fishing. It was the residence of Philip, Andrew, and Peter,

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

Tyre and Sidon - These were cities of Phoenicia, formerly very opulent, and distinguished for merchandise. They were situated on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, and were in the western part of Judea. They were therefore well known to the Jews (Barnes)

23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 

"Capernaum, his own city, the headquarters of the army of salvation, had seen and heard the Son of God…therefore he mourned to see Capernaum remain as hardened as ever.” (Spurgeon)

24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” 

Though Sodom was a wicked place destroyed by God in Genesis 19, it did not witness Jesus the Son of God and the clear revelation of God's plan and purpose for all humankind through Him. 

"The scope and sense of it is the same, to let the Capernaites know that the hardness of their heart was greater in contempt of the gospel, confirmed by so many miraculous operations, and their guilt greater, than the guilt of Sodom, long since destroyed by fire and brimstone, Genesis 19:1-38, for though they were guilty of prodigious sinning, yet they had not such means to convince, reclaim, and reform them. God had not sent his Son amongst them, nor given them such testimonies of that act of grace as he had given these, by vouchsafing to confirm the doctrine of his Son by miracles; and therefore they must expect that God, in the day of judgment, should deal more severely with them than with the filthy and impure Sodomites." (Poole)

The basic principal affirmed by Jesus through these verses is that each person is accountable to God with what they have been given and what they did with it.  It is unclear whether this means whether there different levels of judgment for those who did not trust God in the Old Testament versus those who rejected Jesus in the New Testament.  But it is clear there is a difference.

The big difference lies in the fact the cities of Tyre, Sidon and Sodom were Gentile cities.  Where are the other cities Capernaum, Bethsaida and Chorazin were cities of Jewish origin.  Jesus is basically saying that the judgment for the Jewish cities where Jesus the Messiah was revealed is worse than the Gentile cities who had no knowledge of God.  

Bottom line: Even Christians will be accountable for what they do with what they are given.  "To whom much is given, much is required." We have all been given at least one spiritual gift to help the church to fulfill its Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.  Are you using the gift God gave you to the fullest?  Though we are saved by grace through faith and this is not a salvation issue, we will be accountable what we do with the grace we have been given. Let's be found faithful so we will hear the words, 

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:23