SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:23
Y t, Capernaum, que eres levantada hasta el cielo, hasta los infiernos sers abajada; porque si en los de Sodoma fueran hechas las maravillas que han sido hechas en ti, hubiera quedado hasta el día de hoy.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:23
Verse 23. Thou, Capernaum-exalted unto heaven] A Hebrew metaphor, expressive of the utmost prosperity, and the enjoyment of the greatest privileges. This was properly spoken of this city, because that in it our Lord dwelt, and wrought many of his miraculous works. Shalt be brought down to hell] Perhaps not meaning, here, the place of torment, but rather a state of desolation. The original word is Hades, adhv, from a, not, and idein, to see; the invisible receptacle or mansion of the dead, answering to lwa sheol, in Hebrew; and implying often, 1st. the grave; 2dly. the state of separate souls, or unseen world of spirits, whether of torment, Luke xvi. 23, or, in general, Rev. i. 18; vi. 8; xx. 13, 14. The word hell, used in the common translation, conveys now an improper meaning of the original word; because hell is only used to signify the place of the damned. But, as the word hell comes from the Anglo- Saxon, helan, to cover, or hide, hence the tiling or slating of a house is called, in some parts of England (particularly Cornwall) heling, to this day; and the covers of books (in Lancashire) by the same name: so the literal import of the original word adhv was formerly well expressed by it. Here it means a state of the utmost wo, and ruin, and desolation, to which these impenitent cities should be reduced. This prediction of our Lord was literally fulfilled; for, in the wars between the Romans and the Jews, these cities were totally destroyed, so that no traces are now found of Bethsaida, Chorazin, or Capernaum. See Bp. PEARCE.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 23. And thou Capernaum , etc.] This city is singled out from all the rest, and spoken to particularly, because of its peculiar advantages: which art exalted unto heaven ; which has respect to the very great privileges this place enjoyed, it being the city where Christ chose to dwell, and for a time fixed his abode in; where he first began to preach, and where such a train of miracles were done; a particular enumeration, of which has been before given: as also it may refer to the situation of the place, which was very high and lofty, so that it seemed to reach unto heaven; for the account that R. Benjamin Tudelensis gives of it is, that Capernaum, which is, by interpretation, the village of comfort, at first sight looks to be ylmrk l[ wqm , a place higher than Mount Carmel.
And Nonnus on ( John 6:59) calls it, bayukrhpidi cafarnaoum which the interpreter renders, the land of Capernaum founded on high.
But notwithstanding all this, shalt be brought down to hell ; meaning, it should be attended with very humbling providences, be reduced to a very low condition, (see Isaiah 14:15) be destroyed and laid waste, as a city, as it was in the times of Vespasian; and the inhabitants of it not only punished with temporal, but everlasting destruction; for if the mighty works which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day . The sense of these words is the same with that of ( Matthew 11:22) only this may be observed, that whereas Capernaum was superior in privileges and advantages than the other cities, and yet acted the vile and ungrateful part it did; so that its impenitence and unbelief were the more aggravated; hence a still viler set of men are pitched upon, even the men of Sodom, to make the comparison of them with: for as wicked as the men of that place were, who were so infamous for their unnatural lusts; yet if they had enjoyed such a ministry as Christs, and had had such miracles wrought among them, for the attestation of the doctrines taught them, in all human probability they would have repented of their flagitious crimes; at least in an external way, in such a manner as to have escaped that dreadful judgment, which laid their city, and several adjacent ones, in ashes; and so would have continued a city until this day. The phrase remained is Jewish, and is used of Sodom by the Rabbins, who say f691 , that Abraham was ninety nine years of age when he was circumcised, and then was the overthrow of Sodom; which was fifty one years, after the generation of the division (of the people and languages), and near fifty two years; but Zoar remained one year, wds bwy rja , after Sodom remained.
According to the Jews, it stood but fifty two years at most f692 : and they have a notion, that Sodom and Gomorrha will be built again in the future state f693 , or world to come, the times of the Messiah.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 16-24 - Christ reflects on the scribes and Pharisees, who had a proud concei of themselves. He likens their behaviour to children's play, who being out of temper without reason, quarrel with all the attempts of their fellows to please them, or to get them to join in the plays for whic they used to assemble. The cavils of worldly men are often very trifling and show great malice. Something they have to urge agains every one, however excellent and holy. Christ, who was undefiled, an separate from sinners, is here represented as in league with them, an polluted by them. The most unspotted innocence will not always be defence against reproach. Christ knew that the hearts of the Jews wer more bitter and hardened against his miracles and doctrines, than thos of Tyre and Sidon would have been; therefore their condemnation woul be the greater. The Lord exercises his almighty power, yet he punishe none more than they deserve, and never withholds the knowledge of the truth from those who long after it.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ συ 4771 P-2NS καπερναουμ 2584 N-PRI η 3588 T-NSF εως 2193 CONJ του 3588 T-GSM ουρανου 3772 N-GSM υψωθεισα 5312 5685 V-APP-NSF εως 2193 CONJ αδου 86 N-GSM καταβιβασθηση 2601 5701 V-FPI-2S οτι 3754 CONJ ει 1487 COND εν 1722 PREP σοδομοις 4670 N-DPN εγενοντο 1096 5633 V-2ADI-3P αι 3588 T-NPF δυναμεις 1411 N-NPF αι 3588 T-NPF γενομεναι 1096 5637 V-2ADP-NPF εν 1722 PREP σοι 4671 P-2DS εμειναν 3306 5656 V-AAI-3P αν 302 PRT μεχρι 3360 ADV της 3588 T-GSF σημερον 4594 ADV
