And you, Capernaum, which is exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hades: for if the mighty works, which have been done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
All Commentaries on Matthew 11:23 Go To Matthew 11
Theodore the Stratelates
AD 319
Many were the miracles Jesus performed in the city of Capernaum. For this reason it was all the more necessary that those who dwelled there should believe. This city was for a time “lifted up unto heaven” on account of the miracles. But on account of the sin and unbelief of its inhabitants, an even more dreadful fall occurred, and they were “brought down to Hades.” Christ was the steward. When the time was right, the Word became incarnate and performed miracles. He chastised Gentiles and Jews proportionately. Tyre and Sidon transgressed only natural law, but the Jews, who disobeyed Christ, transgressed the law of Moses and the prophets. Jesus said this even more sternly when he wished to point out that their wickedness was greater by comparison. For, if not these things, then other things might have happened in Tyre and Sidon, and even in Sodom and Gomorrah, if they had come to repentance. But, as I said, he presents this comparison in order more forcefully to demonstrate their wickedness.
