The Meaning of Matthew 11:21 Explained

Matthew 11:21

KJV: 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.

YLT: 'Woe to thee, Chorazin! woe to thee, Bethsaida! because, if in Tyre and Sidon had been done the mighty works that were done in you, long ago in sackcloth and ashes they had reformed;

Darby: Woe to thee, Chorazin! woe to thee Bethsaida! for if the works of power which have taken place in you, had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they had long ago repented in sackcloth and ashes.

ASV: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Matthew 11:21 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 11:20-30 - Woe Or Welcome
The voice of upbraiding, Matthew 11:20-24. The Judge weeps as he pronounces the doom of those who reject Him. They would have crowned Him king, but refused to repent. See John 6:15. These cities did not crucify Him, but they had been deaf to His warnings and indifferent to His mighty works. Even where there is no direct opposition, indifference will be sufficient to seal our doom.
The voice of thanksgiving, Matthew 11:25-27. He "answered" the voice of God within His breast. Babes are those who mistrust the reasonings of their intellect, but trust the instincts and intuitions of their hearts. The child-heart looks open-eyed into all the mysteries of God. Learn to say Yea to all God's dealings. The Spirit reveals the Son, and the Son the Father. Our Lord must be divine, if only God can know him.
The voice of pleading mercy, Matthew 11:28-30. Labor is for active manhood; heavy-laden for suffering, patient womanhood. The invitation is to commit and submit; to come and to bow under the yoke of the Father's will. Submission and obedience are the secrets of the blessed life. [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 11

1  John sends his disciples to Jesus
7  Jesus' testimony concerning John
16  The perverse judgment of the people concerning the Son
20  Jesus upbraids Korazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum;
25  and praising his Father's wisdom in revealing the Gospel to the simple,
28  he calls to him those who are weary and burdened

Greek Commentary for Matthew 11:21

Chorazin [Χοραζειν]
Mentioned only here and in Luke 10:13. Proof of “the meagreness of our knowledge of Judaism in the time of Christ” (Plummer) and of the many things not told in our Gospels (John 21:25). We know something of Bethsaida and more about Capernaum as places of privilege. But (πλην — plēn howbeit) neither of these cities repented, changed their conduct. Note condition of the second class, determined as unfulfilled in Matthew 11:21 and Matthew 11:23. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 11:21

Matthew 11:21 Chorazin [Χοραζειν]
Mentioned only here and in Luke 10:13. Proof of “the meagreness of our knowledge of Judaism in the time of Christ” (Plummer) and of the many things not told in our Gospels (John 21:25). We know something of Bethsaida and more about Capernaum as places of privilege. But (πλην — plēn howbeit) neither of these cities repented, changed their conduct. Note condition of the second class, determined as unfulfilled in Matthew 11:21 and Matthew 11:23. [source]
Luke 10:13 Long ago [παλαι]
Implies a considerable ministry in these cities of which we are not told. Chorazin not mentioned save here and Matthew 11:21. Perhaps Καραζε — Karāzeh near Tell Hum (Capernaum).Sitting in sackcloth and ashes (εν σακκωι και σποδοι κατημενοι — en sakkōi kai spodoi kathēmenoi). Pictorial and graphic. The σακκος — sakkos (sackcloth) was dark coarse cloth made of goat‘s hair and worn by penitents, mourners, suppliants. It is a Hebrew word, sag The rough cloth was used for sacks or bags. To cover oneself with ashes was a mode of punishment as well as of voluntary humiliation. [source]
Hebrews 9:13 Ashes of a heifer [σποδός δαμάλεως]
Σποδός ashes, only here, Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13, in both instances in the phrase sackcloth and ashes. Often in lxx. Δαμάλις heiferN.T.oThe two examples selected cover the entire legal provision for removing uncleanness, whether contracted by sin or by contact with death. “The blood of bulls and goats” refers to the sin-offerings, perhaps especially to the annual atonement (Numbers 19) for purification from uncleanness contracted by contact with the dead. The Levitical law required two remedies: the Christian economy furnishes one for all phases of defilement. [source]
Hebrews 1:1 God [ο τεος]
This Epistle begins like Genesis and the Fourth Gospel with God, who is the Author of the old revelation in the prophets and of the new in his Son. Hebrews 1:1-3 are a proemium (Delitzsch) or introduction to the whole Epistle. The periodic structure of the sentence (Hebrews 1:1-4) reminds one of Luke 1:1-4, Romans 1:1-7, 1 John 1:1-4. The sentence could have concluded with εν υιωι — en huiōi in Hebrews 1:2, but by means of three relatives Of old time (λαλεω — palai). “Long ago” as in Matthew 11:21. Having spoken (τοις πατρασιν — lalēsas). First aorist active participle of εν τοις προπηταις — laleō originally chattering of birds, then used of the highest form of speech as here. Unto the fathers (πολυμερως — tois patrasin). Dative case. The Old Testament worthies in general without “our” or “your” as in John 6:58; John 7:22; Romans 9:5. In the prophets (πολυμερης — en tois prophētais). As the quickening power of their life (Westcott). So Hebrews 4:7. By divers portions (πολυτροπως — polumerōs). “In many portions.” Adverb from late adjective πολυτροπος — polumerēs (in papyri), both in Vettius Valens, here only in N.T., but in Wisdom 7:22 and Josephus (Ant. VIII, 3, 9). The Old Testament revelation came at different times and in various stages, a progressive revelation of God to men. In divers manners (διαπορως — polutropōs). “In many ways.” Adverb from old adjective polutropos in Philo, only here in N.T. The two adverbs together are “a sonorous hendiadys for ‹variously‘” (Moffatt) as Chrysostom (diaphorōs). God spoke by dream, by direct voice, by signs, in different ways to different men (Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, etc.). [source]
Hebrews 9:13 Ashes [σποδος]
Old word, in N. T. only here, Matthew 11:21; Luke 10:13. Common in lxx. Of a heifer Old word Sanctify First-class condition, assumed as true. This ceremonial ritual does serve “for the cleansing The cow was αμωμον — amōmon the individual καταρος — katharos f0). [source]
Jude 1:11 Woe to them [ουαι αυτοις]
Interjection with the dative as is common in the Gospels (Matthew 11:21). [source]
Revelation 11:3 Unto my two witnesses [τοις δυσιν μαρτυσιν μου]
Dative case after δωσω — dōsō The article seems to point to two well-known characters, like Elijah, Elisha, but there is no possible way to determine who they are. All sorts of identifications have been attempted.Clothed (περιβλημενους — periblēmenous). Perfect passive participle of περιβαλλω — periballō as often before (Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:13; Revelation 10:1, etc.). But Aleph A P Q here read the accusative plural in ους — ̇ous while C has the nominative in οι — ̇oi Charles suggests a mere slip for the nominative, but Hort suggests a primitive error in early MSS. for the dative περιβεβλεμενοις — peribeblemenois agreeing with μαρτυσιν — martusin sackcloth (σακκους — sakkous). Accusative retained with this passive verb as in Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:13. See Revelation 6:12 for σακκος — sakkos and also Matthew 3:4. The dress suited the message (Matthew 11:21). [source]
Revelation 11:3 Clothed [περιβλημενους]
Perfect passive participle of περιβαλλω — periballō as often before (Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:13; Revelation 10:1, etc.). But Aleph A P Q here read the accusative plural in ους — ̇ous while C has the nominative in οι — ̇oi Charles suggests a mere slip for the nominative, but Hort suggests a primitive error in early MSS. for the dative περιβεβλεμενοις — peribeblemenois agreeing with μαρτυσιν — martusin sackcloth Accusative retained with this passive verb as in Revelation 7:9, Revelation 7:13. See Revelation 6:12 for σακκος — sakkos and also Matthew 3:4. The dress suited the message (Matthew 11:21). [source]
Revelation 12:12 Woe for the earth and for the sea [ουαι την γην και την ταλασσαν]
The accusative after ουαι — ouai as in Revelation 8:13, but nominative in Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:16, Revelation 18:19 in place of the usual dative (Matthew 11:21; Matthew 18:7, etc.). [source]
Revelation 8:13 For them that dwell on the earth [εκ των λοιπων πωνων]
Accusative of the articular present active participle of εκ — katoikeō is unusual (Aleph Q here and also in Revelation 12:12) as in Matthew 11:21. There is even a nominative in Revelation 18:10.By reason of the other voices (των τριων αγγελων των μελλοντων σαλπιζειν — ek tōn loipōn phōnōn). “As a result of (ek) the rest of the voices.” There is more and worse to come, “of the three angels who are yet to sound” (tōn triōn aggelōn tōn mellontōn salpizein). [source]
Revelation 12:12 Rejoice [ευπραινεστε]
Present middle imperative of ευπραινω — euphrainō as in Revelation 11:10; Revelation 18:20.O heavens (οι ουρανοι — hoi ouranoi). Plural here alone in the Apocalypse, though common elsewhere in the N.T. Satan is no longer in the heavens.They that dwell therein Present active articular participle of σκηνοω — skēnoō (see Revelation 7:15; Revelation 13:6) to dwell (tabernacle) as of Christ in John 1:14 and of God in Revelation 21:3. The inhabitants of heaven (angels and saints) have cause to rejoice, and earth reason to mourn.Woe for the earth and for the sea (ουαι την γην και την ταλασσαν — ouai tēn gēn kai tēn thalassan). The accusative after ουαι — ouai as in Revelation 8:13, but nominative in Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:16, Revelation 18:19 in place of the usual dative (Matthew 11:21; Matthew 18:7, etc.).Is gone down Second aorist (effective) active indicative of καταβαινω — katabainō “did go down.”But a short time (ολιγον καιρον — oligon kairon). Accusative of extent of time, “a little time.” The devil‘s departure from his warfare in the heavens reveals (ειδως — eidōs knowing, perfect active participle) to him that his time for doing harm to men is limited, and hence his great wrath (τυμον — thumon boiling rage). [source]
Revelation 12:12 They that dwell therein [οι εν αυτοις σκηνουντες]
Present active articular participle of σκηνοω — skēnoō (see Revelation 7:15; Revelation 13:6) to dwell (tabernacle) as of Christ in John 1:14 and of God in Revelation 21:3. The inhabitants of heaven (angels and saints) have cause to rejoice, and earth reason to mourn.Woe for the earth and for the sea (ουαι την γην και την ταλασσαν — ouai tēn gēn kai tēn thalassan). The accusative after ουαι — ouai as in Revelation 8:13, but nominative in Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:16, Revelation 18:19 in place of the usual dative (Matthew 11:21; Matthew 18:7, etc.).Is gone down Second aorist (effective) active indicative of καταβαινω — katabainō “did go down.”But a short time (ολιγον καιρον — oligon kairon). Accusative of extent of time, “a little time.” The devil‘s departure from his warfare in the heavens reveals (ειδως — eidōs knowing, perfect active participle) to him that his time for doing harm to men is limited, and hence his great wrath (τυμον — thumon boiling rage). [source]
Revelation 8:13 Flying in mid-heaven [πετομενου εν μεσουρανηματι]
Like the angel in Revelation 14:6 and the birds in Revelation 19:17. Μεσουρανημα — Mesouranēma (from μεσουρανεω — mesouraneō to be in mid-heaven) is a late word (Plutarch, papyri) for the sun at noon, in N.T. only these three examples. This eagle is flying where all can see, and crying so that all can hear.Woe, woe, woe (ουαι ουαι ουαι — ouaiουαι — ouaiτους κατοικουντας — ouai). Triple because three trumpets yet to come. In Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:16, Revelation 18:19 the double κατοικεω — ouai is merely for emphasis.For them that dwell on the earth Accusative of the articular present active participle of εκ — katoikeō is unusual (Aleph Q here and also in Revelation 12:12) as in Matthew 11:21. There is even a nominative in Revelation 18:10.By reason of the other voices (των τριων αγγελων των μελλοντων σαλπιζειν — ek tōn loipōn phōnōn). “As a result of (ek) the rest of the voices.” There is more and worse to come, “of the three angels who are yet to sound” (tōn triōn aggelōn tōn mellontōn salpizein). [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 11:21 mean?

Woe to you Chorazin Bethsaida For if in Tyre and Sidon had taken place the miracles - having come to pass you long ago then sackcloth ashes they would have repented
Οὐαί σοι Χοραζίν Βηθσαϊδά ὅτι εἰ ἐν Τύρῳ καὶ Σιδῶνι ἐγένοντο αἱ δυνάμεις αἱ γενόμεναι ὑμῖν πάλαι ἂν σάκκῳ σποδῷ μετενόησαν

Οὐαί  Woe 
Parse: Interjection
Root: οὐαί  
Sense: alas, woe.
σοι  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
Χοραζίν  Chorazin 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Feminine Singular
Root: Χοραζίν 
Sense: a town in Galilee.
Βηθσαϊδά  Bethsaida 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Feminine Singular
Root: Βηθσαϊδά 
Sense: a small fishing village on the west shore of Lake Gennesaret, home of Andrew, Peter, Philip and John.
Τύρῳ  Tyre 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: Τύρος  
Sense: a Phoenician city on the Mediterranean, very ancient, large, splendid, flourishing in commerce, and powerful by land and sea.
Σιδῶνι  Sidon 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: Σιδών  
Sense: an ancient and wealthy city of Phoenicia, on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea, less than 20 miles (30 km) north of Tyre.
ἐγένοντο  had  taken  place 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Plural
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
δυνάμεις  miracles 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: δύναμις  
Sense: strength power, ability.
αἱ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
γενόμεναι  having  come  to  pass 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Middle, Nominative Feminine Plural
Root: γίνομαι  
Sense: to become, i.
πάλαι  long  ago 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πάλαι  
Sense: of old, former.
σάκκῳ  sackcloth 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: σάκκος  
Sense: a sack.
σποδῷ  ashes 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: σποδός  
Sense: ashes: placed on sackcloth as a token of grief.
μετενόησαν  they  would  have  repented 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: μετανοέω  
Sense: to change one’s mind, i.