Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 11:20

"Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not." — Matthew 11:20 (ASV)

Some cities were more favored with the Lord’s presence than others, and therefore He expected more from them. These cities should have repented, or Christ would not have upbraided them—repentance is a duty. The more people hear and see of the Lord’s work, the greater is their obligation to repent. Where most is given, most is required. People are responsible for the way in which they treat the Lord Jesus and His mighty works.

There is a time for upbraiding, Then began He. The most loving preacher will see reason to complain about His unrepentant hearers; He upbraids, even He who also wept. Repentance is what we who are preachers aim for, and where we do not see it, we are deeply troubled. Our trouble is not that our hearers did not applaud our ability, but because they did not repent. They have enough to repent of, and without repentance, woe is upon them. Therefore, we mourn that they do not repent.

Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works were done, because they did not repent:

That was the point Christ aimed at: their repentance. He did not seek to dazzle them with wonders and marvels, but to break their hearts away from their sins.

This is what his mighty works should have done, for they proved him to be the Messiah. These mighty works also warned those who witnessed them that God had come near to them, and therefore, it was time for them to turn from their evil ways.

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

They listened; sometimes, they applauded; but they did not repent; and nothing is really accomplished until people have repented. In vain have we preached until people are brought to repent; so the Master said: