Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 10:13

"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, sitting in sackcloth and ashes." — Luke 10:13 (ASV)

Korazin and Bethsaida are located at the north end of the Sea of Galilee (see comment on Mt 11:21–22), where Jesus concentrated his ministry. The comparison with the Phoenician towns of Tyre and Sidon suggests utter rebellion against the Lord, for those two ancient pagan towns suffered drastic judgment for their proud opposition to God and his people (Isaiah 23:1–18; Jeremiah 25:22; Jeremiah 47:4; et al.).

“Sackcloth,” a coarse, black material, was worn as a sign of mourning or repentance (cf. 1 Kings 21:27). “Ashes” could also symbolize repentance or contrition (e.g., Job 42:6).