Chorazin

Biblical Text

Chorazin appears twice in the Bible, both times in the same saying of Jesus.

• Matthew 11:20–24: Jesus upbraids the cities in which most of his mighty works (miracles) had been done, because they did not repent. He first says, "Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida!" and then declares that if the same mighty works had been done in the Gentile cities of Tyre and Sidon, "they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes." Sackcloth and ashes were signs of grief and contrition. He goes on to say that it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, and he rebukes Capernaum by comparing it to Sodom.
• Luke 10:13–15: The same saying appears among Jesus' words when he sends out the seventy to preach.

The Gospels record no specific miracle performed in Chorazin. Even so, this passage indicates that many mighty works were done there.

Background

Chorazin was a Jewish town in the hill country north of the Sea of Galilee. It lay near Capernaum, which Jesus made the center of his ministry, and near Bethsaida. Modern scholars generally identify Chorazin with Khirbet Kerazeh (the Korazim ruins in Israel), a few kilometers north of Capernaum.

Excavations there have uncovered a synagogue and house foundations built of black basalt. The synagogue remains, however, are generally dated several centuries after the time of Jesus. A stone seat found in this synagogue is sometimes associated with the "Moses' seat" of Matthew 23:2. The original meaning of the name is uncertain.

Significance in Scripture as a Whole

The focus of the Chorazin passage is that those who have received more grace bear greater responsibility. A Jewish town that prided itself on belonging to God's people is found wanting in comparison with Tyre and Sidon, Gentile cities that frequently appear in the Old Testament as objects of judgment. This contrast is read as a warning that merely witnessing miracles does not lead to repentance.

Interpretation and Debate

• The nature of "Woe": Some interpreters emphasize the saying as a pronouncement of judgment. Others regard it as closer to a lament mourning impending destruction.
• Degrees of judgment: On the basis of the expression "more tolerable," some interpreters hold that at the Last Judgment the weight of responsibility will vary according to the amount of light received. Interpreters differ, however, on whether this passage can be taken as systematic teaching on degrees of judgment.
• Unrecorded miracles: The absence of any recorded miracle at Chorazin is often cited as evidence that the Gospels do not contain all of Jesus' deeds (compare John 21:25).
• Later traditions: In the Middle Ages there was reportedly a tradition that the Antichrist would be born in Chorazin. This story, however, has no basis in the biblical text.

In the Korean Church

Chorazin is cited, together with Bethsaida and Capernaum, in sermons on the "unrepentant cities." It serves mainly as an illustration warning against a faith that hears much of the Word yet remains unchanged. The Korazim ruins are sometimes included in the Galilee portion of Holy Land pilgrimages to Israel.