Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 11:21

"Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes." — Matthew 11:21 (ASV)

Chorazin and Bethsaida. These were towns not far from Capernaum, but their precise situation is unknown. Bethsaida means literally, a house of hunting or of game; and it was probably situated on the banks of the Sea of Galilee and supported itself by hunting or fishing. It was the residence of Philip, Andrew, and Peter (John 1:44). It was enlarged by Philip the tetrarch and called Julia, after the emperor's daughter.

Tyre and Sidon. These were cities of Phoenicia, formerly very opulent and distinguished for merchandise. They were situated on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea and were on the western part of Judea. They were, therefore, well known to the Jews. Tyre is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as being the place through which Solomon derived many of the materials for building the temple (2 Chronicles 2:11–16). It was also a place against which one of the most important and pointed prophecies of Isaiah was directed. See Barnes on Isaiah 23:1 and following. Compare to Ezekiel 26:4-14.

Both these cities were very ancient. Sidon was situated within the bounds of the tribe of Asher (Joshua 19:28), but this tribe could never get possession of it (Judges 1:31). It was famous for its great trade and navigation. Its inhabitants were the first remarkable merchants in the world and were much celebrated for their luxury.

In the time of our Savior, it was probably a city of much splendor and extensive commerce. It is now called Seide or Saide and is far less populous and splendid than it was in the time of Christ. It was subdued successively by the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Romans, the latter of whom deprived it of its freedom.

Mr. Fisk and Mr. King, American missionaries, passed through Sidon in the summer of 1823 and estimated the population, as others had also estimated it, at eight or ten thousand. However, Mr. Goodell, another American missionary, took up residence there in June 1824. He did so for the purpose of studying the Armenian language with a bishop of the Armenian church who lived there and, of course, had far better opportunities to know the statistics of the place.

He reported that there were six Muslim mosques, a Jewish synagogue, a Maronite church, a Latin church, and a Greek church. The number of inhabitants could be estimated at three thousand, of whom one-half may have been Muslims.

Tyre was situated about twenty miles south of Sidon. It was built partly on a small island, about seventy paces from the shore, and partly on the mainland. It was a city of great extent, splendor, and extensive commerce. It abounded in luxury and wickedness.

Tyre was often besieged. It held out against Shalmaneser for five years and was taken by Nebuchadnezzar after a siege of thirteen years. It was afterwards rebuilt and was eventually taken by Alexander the Great after a most obstinate siege of five months.

There are no signs now of the ancient city. It is the residence of only a few poor fishermen and contains, amidst the ruins of its former magnificence, only a few huts. Thus was fulfilled the prophecy of Ezekiel: Thou shalt be built no more; though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again (Ezekiel 26:21). For a description of Tyre as it was formerly, and as it is now, see Barnes on Isaiah 23:1 and following.

In sackcloth and ashes. Sackcloth was a coarse cloth, like canvas, used for the dress of the poor and for the more common articles of domestic use. It was also worn as a sign of mourning. The Jews also frequently threw ashes on their heads as expressive of grief (Job 1:20; Job 2:12; Jeremiah 6:26).

The meaning is that they would have repented with expressions of deep sorrow. Like Nineveh, they would have seen their guilt and danger and would have turned from their iniquity. Gentile cities would have received Him better than the cities of the Jews, His native land.