(13) Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. (14) But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgement than for you (15) And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shall be thrust down to hell. (16) He that heareth you, heareth me: and he that despiseth you, despiseth me: and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.
There is somewhat very awful in these verses: to think that the preaching of Jesus himself should have no effect! And, Reader, it may well be supposed, that the heaviest judgments will light on those whose advantages have been greatest, but have rejected them: and, in this sense, we may be tremblingly alive for our British Chorazin and Bethsaida. The grace of God, it may be truly said, hath, in the outward ministry of the word, appeared unto all men; but, alas! who hath believed the report, or to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? Ordinances and means of grace do exalt our nation, as Capernaum was exalted to heaven; but will not the neglect and abuse of them sink down to hell?