Definition: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse. It's a really interesting and slightly dramatic passage from Matthew 11:21. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about potential versus action. It’s saying that someone (we don't know exactly who) had incredible abilities – powerful deeds, miracles, and a lot of impressive things – and they weren’t using them well. Think of it like this: Let’s unpack the parts: “Matthew 11:21” : This is the verse itself. It's from the Gospel of Matthew. “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida!” : This is a bit poetic – “woe” means "suffering" or "sadness." These are phrases used to express deep regret and sorrow. The verse refers to two cities: Chorazin and Bethsaida. “If the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon…” : This is the core of the message. The verse compares the person’s abilities (the "mighty works") to those of a city called Tyre and Sidon – two very wealthy and powerful cities in Lebanon. “…they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.” : This is the crucial part. It suggests that these cities were really sorry for what they had done, but they didn’t repent (say their prayers and change their ways) until it was too late. They were so focused on their own success and power that they weren't thinking about how it might affect others. So, What Does It Mean? The verse is essentially saying: “Your amazing abilities are wasted if you don’t use them to help others and make the world a better place.” It’s a warning against complacency and encourages us to do good – to put our talents and gifts into service. Why is it important? Jesus often uses this kind of imagery to teach about responsibility and the importance of living a moral life. It's a reminder that true significance comes not just from personal achievement, but from using your abilities to benefit others. In short, the verse encourages us to be generous and helpful, because our actions have consequences. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this passage? Give you a different interpretation of the verse?