Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! - not elsewhere mentioned, but it must have lain near Capernaum.
Woe unto thee, Bethsaida! х bayit (H1004) and tseeydaah (H6720), 'hunting' or 'fishing-house'-`a fishing station'] - on the western side of the sea of Galilee, and to the north of Capernaum; the birth-place of three of the apostles-the brothers Andrew and Peter, and Philip. These two cities appear to be singled out to denote the whole region in which they lay-a region favoured with the Redeemer's presence, teaching, and works above every other.
For if the mighty works, [ hai (G3588 ) dunameis (G1411 ) - 'the miracles'] which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon - ancient and celebrated commercial cities, on the northeastern shores of the Mediterranean sea, lying north of Palestine, and the latter the northern-most. Since their wealth and prosperity engendered luxury and its concomitant evils-irreligion and moral degeneracy-their overthrow was repeatedly foretold in ancient prophecy, and once and again fulfilled by victorious enemies. Yet they were rebuilt, and at this time were in a flourishing condition.
They would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Remarkable language, showing that they had done less violence to conscience, and so, in God's sight, were less criminal than the region here spoken of.