Matthew 11:23

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.

Cross-references

Matthew 4:13 Historical context

Matthew 4:13 establishes Capernaum as Jesus' base where he performed miracles, highlighting the privilege that makes its condemnation severe.

Matthew 8:5 Contrast

Matthew 8:5 recounts a centurion's faith in Capernaum, showing an exception of belief that contrasts the city's general rejection.

Obadiah 1:4 Parallel

Obadiah 1:4 declares God will bring down the proud from their heights — the same principle of humbling the exalted applied to Capernaum.

Jude 1:7 Parallel

Jude 1:7 says Sodom serves as an example of eternal fire—the same warning Jesus gives Capernaum of being brought down to Hades.

Luke 4:23 Historical context

Luke 4:23 references the miracles done in Capernaum, confirming the basis for Jesus' woe that the city saw great works.

Ezekiel 16:48-50 lists Sodom's sins: pride, excess, neglect of the poor—the same pride Jesus warns Capernaum about.

Isaiah 14:13-15 uses the same 'brought down to Hades' language for Babylon's pride — the very imagery applied here to Capernaum's fall.

Genesis 19:25 Historical context

Genesis 19:25 describes the complete overthrow of Sodom and its inhabitants—the fate Capernaum escapes only because of miracles.

Genesis 19:24 Historical context

In Genesis 19:24, God rains sulfur and fire on Sodom—the judgment Jesus says Capernaum would have avoided had it repented.

Isaiah 14:15 says the king of Babylon is brought down to Sheol—the same 'brought down to Hades' language Jesus uses for Capernaum.

Job 20:6 Allusion

Job 20:6 describes the wicked whose height reaches heaven perishing—matching Jesus' 'exalted to heaven, brought down to Hades'.

Luke 10:15 Parallel

Luke 10:15 is a near-verbatim parallel — the same woe against Capernaum about being brought down to Hades from exaltation.

John 4:46–54 Historical context

John 4:46-54 records a miracle in Capernaum, showing the city's exposure to Jesus' power and thus its greater guilt for rejecting him.

Ezekiel 31:16 describes a proud nation cast down to Sheol — echoing the 'brought down to Hades' judgment here on Capernaum.

Genesis 13:13 Historical context

Genesis 13:13 describes Sodom's great wickedness — the city Jesus says would have repented if it had seen Capernaum's miracles, highlighting Capernaum's greater guilt.

Ezekiel 28:12-19 laments the king of Tyre's pride and his fall from the holy mountain — another example of exaltation followed by judgment.

Ezekiel 31:17 adds that allies of the proud nation also descend to Sheol — the same underworld destination decreed for Capernaum.

Luke 14:11 Parallel

Luke 14:11 states Jesus' principle that the self-exalted will be humbled — the same truth illustrated in Capernaum's judgment.

2 Peter 2:4-9 cites examples of God's judgment on the ungodly, including Sodom — reinforcing the certainty of judgment Capernaum faces.

2 Peter 2:21 warns that knowing the way and turning back is worse — a parallel principle to Capernaum's greater guilt than Sodom due to witnessed miracles.