Devine Scripture

Luke 10:12

What does Luke 10:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 10:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 10:12 means

Jesus warns that a day of judgment will make rejection of the gospel especially severe: it will be more bearable for Sodom than for a city that rejects these messengers. This shocking comparison emphasizes the gravity of spurning God's work done nearby. Sodom stands as a symbol of divine judgment; to be judged more harshly than Sodom indicates profound responsibility and culpability. The verse stresses that local opportunities and clear witness bring corresponding accountability before God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I say to you, It will be better in that day for Sodom than for that town.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I say to you, that for Sodom in that day it shall be more tolerable than for that city.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I say to you, it shall be more tolerable at that day for Sodom than for that city.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for Sodom in that day than for that city.

Context

This judgmental contrast follows the public act of shaking off dust and the declaration about the kingdom’s nearness. It links rejection in Jesus’ day to truly dire consequences. The next verses name specific towns—Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum—showing how places that enjoyed Jesus’ miracles will be judged more severely if they failed to repent.

v.11Even the dust from your city, that cleaveth to our feet, we wipe off against you: nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh.

v.12This passage

v.13Woe 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, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 6:11

    And whatsoever place shall not receive you, and they hear you not, as ye go forth thence, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony unto them.

  • Matthew 11:24

    But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

  • Ezekiel 16:48

    As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.

  • Matthew 10:15

    Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

  • Lamentations 4:6

    For the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom, That was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands were laid upon her.

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