Matthew 10:15 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 10:15 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“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.”

Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah is the most severe judgment language in the chapter: the towns of Israel that reject the kingdom's messengers will face a more severe judgment than the most notorious sinners of the Hebrew scriptures. The reason is the light available: Sodom and Gomorrah never had the gospel of the kingdom presented to them by the disciples of Jesus. Greater light creates greater accountability. Luke 12:48 makes the principle explicit: everyone to whom much was given, much will be required.

Church Fathers on Matthew 10:15

The Lord had said above, 'The workman is worthy of his meat;' that they should not hence suppose that He would open all doors to them, He here commands them to use much circumspection in the choice of a host, saying, 'Into what city or town ye enter, enquire who in it is worthy.'
Chrysostom · 4th century

The Apostles, on entering a strange town, could not know of each inhabitant what sort of man he was; they were to choose their host therefore by the report of the people, and opinion of the neighbours, that the worthiness of the preacher might not be disgraced by the ill character of his entertainer.
Jerome · 4th century

The Apostles are not to choose carelessly the house into which they enter, that they may have no cause for changing their lodging; the same caution is not enforced upon the entertainer, lest in choosing his guests, his hospitality should be diminished.
Ambrose · 4th century · Ambros., in Luc., 9. 5

Read all 19 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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