And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

MATTHEW 11:23KJV
Know the Bible

Matthew 11:23 (KJV)

What does Matthew 11:23 mean?

In Matthew 11:23, Jesus tells Capernaum that its privileged position will not protect it from a severe downfall. The town had seen his mighty works, yet Jesus says that even Sodom would have survived if those same works had been done there.

Jesus speaks to Capernaum as if the town were a person. The movement from heaven to the depths pictures a dramatic reversal of its high position. Sodom was remembered from Genesis 19 as a city destroyed because of its great wickedness.

The Greek behind Matthew 11:23

  • “hell” — ᾅδης (hadēs): This word refers to the realm of the dead. The KJV’s “hell” can suggest a place of punishment to modern readers, but the word here contributes to the image of being brought low, in contrast with heaven.
  • “works” — δύναμις (dynamis): This word can mean power or a powerful deed. Here it refers to the mighty works performed in Capernaum, rather than ordinary activity.

Why Matthew 11:23 matters

  • The comparison with Sodom makes Capernaum’s response especially striking. In the surrounding passage, Jesus criticizes towns where many of his mighty works were done because they did not turn from their ways (Matthew 11:20).
  • Jesus speaks of what would have happened under different circumstances. His claim that Sodom “would have remained until this day” is a comparison, not an account of what actually happened there.
  • The next verse reinforces the contrast between the two places. Jesus says the day of judgment will be more bearable for Sodom than for Capernaum (Matthew 11:24).

Where else these words appear

“down” Greek G2601 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 10:15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

“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.
  • Luke 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, 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;

“hell” Greek G86 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
  • Acts 2:27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
  • Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

“Capernaum” Greek G2584 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
  • Mark 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
  • John 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.