God’s Word Translation
Matthew 11:20
20Then Jesus denounced the cities where he had worked most of his miracles because they had not changed the way they thought and acted.
Matthew 11:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:
- New International Version (NIV)Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent:
Context of Matthew 11:20
18“John came neither eating nor drinking, and people say, ‘There’s a demon in him!’ 19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and people say, ‘Look at him! He’s a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ “Yet, wisdom is proved right by its actions.” Then Jesus denounced the cities where he had worked most of his miracles because they had not changed the way they thought and acted. 21“How horrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How horrible it will be for you, Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in you had been worked in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed the way they thought and acted long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22I can guarantee that judgment day will be better for Tyre and Sidon than for you.
Read all of Matthew 11Matthew 11:20 word by word
Τότε ἤρξατο ὀνειδίζειν τὰς πόλεις ἐν αἷς ἐγένοντο αἱ πλεῖσται δυνάμεις αὐτοῦ ὅτι οὐ μετενόησαν·¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thenτότεtote · thenG5119
- began heἄρχομαιarchomai · to rule/beginG756
- to upbraidὀνειδίζωoneidezō · to revileG3679
- the citiesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the citiesπόλιςpolis · cityG4172
- whereinἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- whereinὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- mostπλεῖστοςpleistos · mostG4118
- ofδύναμιςdunamis · powerG1411
- hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- were doneγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- becauseὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
- they repentedμετανοέωmetanoeō · to repentG3340
- notοὐou · noG3756
Cross-references for Matthew 11:20
- Luke 10:13“How horrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How horrible it will be for you, Bethsaida! If the miracles worked in your cities had been worked in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed the way they thought and acted. Long ago they would have worn sackcloth and sat in ashes.
- Psalms 81:11“But my people did not listen to me. Israel wanted nothing to do with me.
- Isaiah 1:2Listen, heaven, and pay attention, earth! The Lord has spoken, “I raised ⌞my⌟ children and helped them grow, but they have rebelled against me.
- Micah 6:1Now listen to what the Lord is saying, “Stand up! Plead your case in front of the mountains, and let the hills listen to your request.
- Mark 9:19Jesus said to them, “You unbelieving generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me!”
- Mark 16:14Still later Jesus appeared to the eleven apostles while they were eating. He put them to shame for their unbelief and because they were too stubborn to believe those who had seen him alive.
- James 1:5If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them.
- Matthew 12:41The men of Nineveh will stand up with you at the time of judgment and will condemn you, because they turned to God and changed the way they thought and acted when Jonah spoke his message. But look, someone greater than Jonah is here!
- Matthew 21:28“What do you think about this? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go to work in the vineyard today.’
- Jeremiah 8:6I have paid attention and listened, but they weren’t honest. They don’t turn away from their wickedness and ask, “What have we done?” They go their own ways like horses charging into battle.
- Acts 17:20Some of the things you say sound strange to us. So we would like to know what they mean.”
- 2 Timothy 2:25He must be gentle in correcting those who oppose the Good News. Maybe God will allow them to change the way they think and act and lead them to know the truth.
- Revelation 2:21I gave her time to turn to me and change the way she thinks and acts, but she refuses to turn away from her sexual sins.
- Revelation 9:20The people who survived these plagues still did not turn to me and change the way they were thinking and acting. If they had, they would have stopped worshiping demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk.
- Revelation 16:9They were severely burned. They cursed the name of God, who has the authority over these plagues. They would not change the way they think and act and give him glory.
Commentaries on Matthew 11:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Then began he to upbraid the cities - The more God has done to draw men unto himself, the less excusable are they if they continue in iniquity. If our blessed Lord had not done every thing that was necessary for the salvation of these people, he could not have reproached them for their impenitence.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Then began he to upbraid - That is, to reprove, to rebuke, to denounce heavy judgment.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-24Verses 16-24 Christ reflects on the scribes and Pharisees, who had a proud conceit of themselves. He likens their behaviour to children's play, who being out of temper without reason, quarrel with all the attempts of their fellows to please them, or to get them to join in the plays for which they used to assemble. The cavils of worldly men are often very trifling and show great malice. Something they have to urge against every one, however excellent and…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20-24The miracles Jesus performed showed he was the Messiah (Matthew 11:5–6). These miracles demanded people to repent (11:20). Those who rejected the Messiah faced great judgment, because Jesus had clearly shown who he is.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not.Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 11:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Matthew 11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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