Why did Jesus mention Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10:14?

Answer

Tyre and Sidon, ancient cities of Phoenicia, are mentioned multiple times in both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus refers to Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10 while pronouncing judgments against the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida.

Tyre and Sidon are port cities situated in modern Lebanon on the Mediterranean coast. Sidon is believed to have been established before 2000 BC, with Tyre being slightly younger. The Old Testament recounts Israel’s interactions with these cities, such as the Israelites’ inability to conquer Sidon during the conquest of the Promised Land “Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob:”, (Judges 1:31), their worship of Sidonian deities on various occasions (Judges 10:6-16;1 Kings 11), and their procurement of materials from Sidon and Tyre for the construction of the temple “also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.”, (1 Chronicles 22:4). King Hiram of Tyre supplied many of the temple furnishings for Solomon (1 Kings 7:13-51). Tyrians and Sidonians are also noted for assisting in the reconstruction of the temple during Ezra’s era “They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.”, (Ezra 3:7). Queen Jezebel was a Si

Donian «And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. », (1 Kings 16:31). The Sidonian city of Zarephath was where a widow took care of Elijah, and the Lord provided oil and flour for her during the famine; later, the widow’s son became ill, and Elijah raised him from the dead (1 Kings 17:8-24).

The Old Testament also contains several prophecies against Tyre and Sidon that foretold a complete overthrow (Isaiah 23; Jeremiah 25; 27; 47; Ezekiel 26-28; Joel 3; Amos 1:9-10; Zechariah 9:1-4). Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre from 585–572 BC. Alexander the Great conquered Tyre in 322 BC, completely destroying the city. The Persian king Artaxerxes conquered Sidon. In short, God’s prophesied judgment came to pass. Later, both cities became prosperous provinces of Rome.

Tyre and Sidon were Gentile cities north of Israel, and Jesus had been sent to the Jews «But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. », (Matthew 15:24). However, Jesus still ministered to them: crowds from Tyre and Sidon came to see and listen to Him (Mark 3:7-8). Jesus helped a Syrophoenician woman and commended her faith (Matthew 15:21-28).

Jesus mentions Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10:13–14 (see also Matthew 11).

(see also Matthew 11:20-24), comparing them to several cities in which He had performed miracles. These cities of Israel had been blessed with Jesus’ presence, preaching, and power, yet they had not repented. Jesus pronounces woes on them, stating that Tyre and Sidon, given the same opportunity, would have turned from their wickedness and been saved: “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.” Jesus also says Capernaum is under God’s judgment for their rejection of Christ (verse 15), because “whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me” (verse 16).

Jesus used the pagan cities of Tyre and Sidon to highlight the way God’s chosen people refused Him. The Israelites of Jesus’ day believed themselves to be righteously following God, yet they did not recognize God in their midst. Jesus, in essence, shamed Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—they, who were supposed to be God’s representatives on earth, refused to listen; yet pagan cities would have quickly repented. Jesus’ comments demonstrate the importance of responsibility and stewardship. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” «But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. », (Luke 12:48).

God’s desire is for His Word to be known and believed, with the result that people are transformed see Luke 6:46. To reject the light we’ve been given is to remain in darkness. To spurn the grace of God and reject the Savior is to receive the due penal

Thank you for our sins.