Luke 10:13-16 13“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! Because if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14Nevertheless, it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 15And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. 16The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
These verses continue the warning because in verse 12 with Sodom. To pronounce a woe upon someone was a form of curse in the sense of recognizing the likelihood of God’s judgment. A woe should not be interpreted as some form of magical curse, like what a witch might do, but a recognition that God will judge those who do not listen to his words of warning and offer of salvation. Jesus refers to two towns as examples of warning to other places where disciples would visit. The application is broader than the sending of just seventy-two but includes their short mission.
The location of Chorazin is unknown. Jesus fed the five thousand near the city of Bethsaida. Evidently, Jesus performed miracles in or near both places, yet many people refused to accept him and his message. These and other towns and villages had the great privilege and honor of having the Messiah come in person. They had experienced miracles that were unique to that time and location. The critical issue focused on repenting (metenēsan), turning from their unbelief and wicked practices to faith in Jesus and living kingdom values. Sackcloth was like burlap or canvas, used for holding things and very uncomfortable. People put ashes on their heads and bodies as a sign of sorrow (Jonah 3:6). Repentance should be evident in sorrow for past sins and the realization that God will judge sin. The difference between the two groups of cities is that the ones in Jesus’ day had heard the gospel yet refused to believe. Although the ancient cities were without excuse, they had not heard the good news of God’s kingdom. If they had, they may have responded differently.
The principle behind verse 14 is that those who hear the message and refuse to believe it will be judged more severely than those who never heard it. But are liable for their sins, but God is a just judge and sees all motives, ignorance, and rebellion. Jesus adds a third city of his time, Capernaum, where he did many miracles and spent significant time. It was one of the first places he stayed and did miracles (4:23). It was not enough for the people in a town or village to watch Jesus perform miracles or hear his preaching. They needed to take up their crosses and be willing to follow with firm and total commitment. Hades was the Greek translation in the Septuagint of the Hebrew Sheol in the Old Testament. It represented the place of the dead. The implication in verse 15 that it is also a place of punishment for those who refuse to repent.
Verse 16 provides a summary and final word to the seventy-two. There is an important connection between disciples and Jesus, and Jesus and the Father. The disciples are connected to God’s mission through Jesus. By rejecting the disciples, people were actually rejecting God. People are given two choices: hearing, meaning believing, or rejecting, meaning refusing to believe. Jesus has clearly laid out the consequences of these choices. Believing leads to participation in God’s kingdom. Rejecting will bring judgment and death. The critical question is assumed once again: what will we do upon hearing the message about Jesus Christ?
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