John Calvin Commentary Matthew 10:15

"Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city." — Matthew 10:15 (ASV)

Verily, I say to you. So that they may not imagine this to be an empty threat,⁵⁷⁸ Christ declares that those who reject the gospel will receive more severe punishment than the inhabitants of Sodom.

Some view the word judgment as referring to the destruction of Jerusalem. But this is foreign to our Lord’s intention, for it must be understood as referring to the general judgment, in which both must give their account, so that a comparison of their punishments can be made. Christ mentioned Sodom rather than other cities, not only because it surpassed all others in heinous crimes, but also because God destroyed it in an extraordinary manner, so that it might serve as an example to all ages and its very name might be held in abomination.

And we should not be surprised if Christ declares that they will be treated less severely than those who refuse to hear the gospel. When people deny the authority of Him who made and formed them, when they refuse to listen to His voice, indeed, disdainfully reject His gentle invitations, and withhold the confidence due to His gracious promises, such impiety is the utmost accumulation, as it were, of all crimes.

But if the rejection of that obscure preaching was followed by such dreadful vengeance, how awful must be the punishment that awaits those who reject Christ when He speaks openly! Again, if God punishes so severely the despisers of the word, what will become of furious enemies who, by blasphemies and a venomous tongue, oppose the gospel, or cruelly persecute it by fire and sword?

⁵⁷⁸ “Afin qu'il ne semble que ce soit une menace vaine, et (cornroe on dit) seulement pour faire peur aux petits enfans;” — “that it may not seem as if it were an idle threatening, and (as we say) only to frighten young children.”;” — “that it may not seem as if it were an idle threatening, and (as we say) only to frighten young children.”