And you, Capernaum, who have been lifted up to heaven, will be brought down to hell. For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today.
Jesus sternly rebukes Capernaum, where He had done many miracles, yet whose inhabitants did not accept His teaching and His call to repentance. The phrase “you have been lifted up to heaven” points to Capernaum as a city that received great privileges, having seen Jesus’ miracles and heard His teaching. But despite these privileges, the city did not repent, and Jesus declares that this will bring severe judgment. Comparing Capernaum with Sodom, Jesus says that if the miracles done in Capernaum had been done in Sodom, it would have changed and would have continued to exist. Sodom was traditionally known for its sinfulness, but Jesus shows that even that city could have repented upon seeing the miracles that Capernaum saw. This highlights the great responsibility borne by those who see God’s works around them but do not respond with faith and repentance.