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

LUKE 10:12KJV
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Luke 10:12 (KJV)

What does Luke 10:12 mean?

Luke 10:12 says that on the day of judgment, the punishment for the city that rejects Jesus’s message will be even harsher than what Sodom received. Jesus is warning that rejecting his messengers brings serious consequences, even more so than the fate of a famously wicked city.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples as he sends them out to preach. He tells them that if a town refuses to welcome them or listen to their message, that town will face a judgment worse than Sodom’s. Sodom was destroyed in the Old Testament for its great evil, so Jesus’s comparison shows just how serious it is to reject the good news his followers bring.

The Greek behind Luke 10:12

  • The word for "tolerable" is ἀνεκτότερον (anektoteron), which means "more bearable" or "more endurable." This highlights that there are degrees of judgment, and some situations are considered worse than others.
  • The phrase "in that day" uses ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ (en ekeinē tē hēmera), pointing to a specific future time of judgment, not just any day.
  • "Sodom" (Σόδομα, Sodoma) refers to the ancient city known for its destruction due to wickedness, making the comparison especially strong for Jesus’s listeners.

Why Luke 10:12 matters

  • Luke 10:12 clarifies that rejecting Jesus’s message is seen as a very serious offense, even greater than the notorious sins of Sodom.
  • The verse emphasizes personal responsibility for how people respond to God’s message, not just their general behavior.
  • This warning fits into the larger context where Jesus is preparing his followers for both acceptance and rejection, showing the real stakes involved in their mission.

Where else these words appear

“tolerable” Greek G414 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
  • Matthew 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
  • Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

“Sodom” Greek G4670 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
  • Mark 6:11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
  • 2 Peter 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;