Matthew 11:20
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: Matthew 11:20
“Then He began to defame the cities in which they occurred – the most of His miracles – because they reconsidered not” (CG).
In the previous verse, Jesus referred to His conduct, having come eating and drinking, which was contrasted to how John conducted himself. He then noted that wisdom is justified from her children. His next words begin to explain the severity of ignoring this wisdom, beginning with, “Then He began to defame the cities in which they occurred.”
The word oneidizó, to defame was previously seen in verse 5:11. It is derived from oneidos, to reproach or disgrace, a word probably akin to onoma, name. Thus, a defaming is indicated.
The cities to be mentioned were part of Israel. They were thus filled with Jews who thought that their cultural makeup and national identity were what made them acceptable to God, regardless of their hearts and actions. Jesus will correct them on this as He continues.
Matthew, intending to show why Jesus’ words to these cities are justified, next notes what it is that occurred in them, which is “the most of His miracles.”
The Scriptures concerning the coming Messiah were read in synagogues. The people would have talked about what the Messiah would have been like as they gathered for feasts and other events. When Jesus came and began performing His miracles, most of which were in the surrounding cities, they should have recognized Him and turned their minds. However, it next says, “because they reconsidered not.”
The people saw the miracles He performed, but they didn’t heed the words He or John had uttered. Both of them proclaimed the same words to the people –
“And in those days, comes John the Baptist, proclaiming in the desolate of Judea, 2 and saying, ‘Reconsider! For it has neared – the kingdom of the heavens!’” Matthew 3:1, 2
“From then, Jesus, He began to proclaim and to say, ‘Reconsider! For it has neared – the kingdom of the heavens!’” Matthew 4:17
There was to be a turning of the mind, a reconsideration, concerning their conduct before the Lord. However, Jesus will reveal the true situation of the conduct of these cities.
Life application: Jesus is the Word of God. He spoke words on the Father’s behalf that were to be heeded. A spoken word that is heard but not heeded means the speaker’s intent behind the words has been ignored. James says –
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:22-25
This appeal from James, and the rebuke of the cities by Jesus, were not something new for the people of Israel. They were told to heed the word and do what it said. At the time of Ezekiel, the Lord spoke, saying –
“As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about you beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, ‘Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord.’ 31 So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. 32 Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. 33 And when this comes to pass—surely it will come—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Ezekiel 33:30-33
Israel failed to heed and went into exile. Even while in exile, they ignored the word through Ezekiel. Jesus came with the final message to the people under the law. A new covenant was coming. In rejecting Jesus’ call to reconsider, they rejected His message.
Today, we have been given instructions about how to conduct our lives in relation to God. First, we are to accept the gospel, receiving by faith what God has done through Jesus. But that is not the end of our responsibilities.
We are to learn the word and apply it to our lives. Those who go to church and hear the word but who then leave without allowing it to mold them have missed the point of going to church. And it may be that the church doesn’t even properly present the word.
Our lives are short. We should make every effort possible to use our time wisely, learning the word and applying it to our walk. Don’t just be hearers of the word, but doers. In this, God will be pleased.
Lord God, thank You for Your word that can safely guide us through this troubled walk of life. May we wisely accept its teachings and faithfully apply them to our lives. In this, You will surely be pleased. Be with us in this walk, O God. Amen.
