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Matthew 11:20

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 11:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.
Matthew 11:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17and say, We piped unto you, and ye did not dance; we wailed, and ye did not mourn.
18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon.
19The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, a gluttonous man and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! And wisdom is justified by her works.
20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.
21Woe 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.
22But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
23And thou, Capernaum, shalt thou be exalted unto heaven? thou shalt go down unto Hades: for if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in thee, it would have remained until this day.
← Matthew 11:19Matthew 11:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then began he to upbraid the cities, etc.] When he had sent forth his disciples to preach, and had been in these several cities hereafter mentioned himself, and had taught and preached in them, and confirmed his doctrine by many wonderful works; when he had observed how ill they had used both John and himself, representing the one as having a devil, and the other as a licentious person; when they could not be pleased with the ministry of the one, nor of the other, he very seasonably and righteously began to reproach them with their ungenerous treatment of him, their ingratitude to him, their unbelief in him, the hardness and impenitence of their hearts; which could not be moved to repent of…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“OUTBURST OF FEELING SUGGESTED TO THE MIND OF JESUS BY THE RESULT OF HIS LABORS IN GALILEE. (Mat 11:20-30) Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then began he to upbraid ... - That is, to reprove, to rebuke, to denounce heavy judgment. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then began he to upbraid the cities - It is observable he had never upbraided them before. Indeed at first they received him with all gladness, Capernaum in particular. Matthew 11:21”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“11:20-24 The miracles Jesus performed confirmed him as Messiah (11:5-6) and demanded repentance (11:20). Rejecting the Messiah would result in terrible judgment because the evidence of Jesus’ identity was clear.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“began: Luk 10:13-15 upbraid: Psa 81:11-13; Isa 1:2-5; Mic 6:1-5; Mar 9:19, Mar 16:14; Jam 1:5 because: Mat 12:41, Mat 21:28-32; Jer 8:6; Act 17:20; Ti2 2:25, Ti2 2:26; Rev 2:21, Rev 9:20, Rev 9:21; Rev 16:9, Rev 16:11 Matthew 11:21”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification