Matthew 11:24

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 11:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Matthew 11:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But I say unto you, etc.] Capernaum, and the inhabitants thereof, as before, to Chorazin and Bethsaida. It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of judgment, than for thee: though the punishment of the men of Sodom will be very great, their iniquities being horribly dreadful and enormous, yet more easy to be borne than the vengeance, which, in the last and general judgment, will fall upon such, who have had the means of grace, and have despised them; especially such as had the personal presence, ministry, and miracles of Christ among them, as the Capernaites had. Such a way of expressing and setting forth the severer punishment of others, by that of Sodom, is not unusual…”
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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
“But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee--"It has been indeed," says DR. STANLEY, "more tolerable, in one sense, in the day of its earthly judgment, for the land of Sodom than for Capernaum; for the name, and perhaps even the remains of Sodom are still to be found on the shores of the Dead Sea; while that of Capernaum has, on the Lake of Gennesareth, been utterly lost." But the judgment of which our Lord here speaks is still future; a judgment not on material cities, but their responsible inhabitants--a judgment final and irretrievable.”
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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
“Moreover I say unto you - Beside the general denunciation of wo to those stubborn unbelievers, the degree of their misery will be greater than even that of Tyre and Sidon, yea, of Sodom. Matthew 11:25”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“more: Mat 11:22, Mat 10:15; Lam 4:6; Mar 6:11; Luk 10:12 Matthew 11:25”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification