The Unfortunates ... Mt 11: 20-24
When reading each passage of the Holy Scriptures, one should pay attention to the context of the presented event, and it can be multiple: historical, geographic, social, cultural, occasional, situational, and finally literary, theological and biblical. We have listed the most important possible, although there are certainly many more that could be found. It is not always necessary to use all kinds of context. The pericope we are currently considering is a good example to use only some of the cited context possibilities in its interpretation.
It should be remembered that at this stage of public activity, as well as at the narrative level of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is still in Galilee. This information relates to the geographic context which plays a role here. Now, when we look at the map of the biblical lands, we can see that the mentioned cities Tyre and Sidon are relatively close to this part of Palestine. The same statement by Jesus in Judea or Jerusalem would not have the same resonance. There, we can assume that Jesus would refer to the Edom or Moab cities near the southern part of the land of Canaan. Once again, we can admire the pedagogical artistry of the Master of Nazareth.
Both Tyre and Sidon, the wealthy trading cities of Phoenicia, were outside the Holy Land and were therefore pagan cities. Not only that they are considered such in the Bible but are also repeatedly depicted as a symbol of paganism. It was coming from there a threat to the purity of faith in the One God. It is enough to mention Queen Jezebel, wife of Ahab, a native of Tyre, a fierce promoter of the worship of the god Baal in Israel and the mortal enemy of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19: 1-4). Israel's prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, also spoke against Tyre and Sidon. This is the historical and theological context of our pericope. In addition to Tyre and Sidon, Jesus mentions Sodom, a city known from the Book of Genesis, burned by fire by God because of the pathological moral debauchery of its inhabitants (Genesis 19: 1-29). We also have a biblical context in Jesus' statement. In the minds of the people of Israel, all three cities were pagan, sinful, and hostile to God. Jesus used this situation to create a contrast, which strengthened the importance of His statements. Jesus places Sidon and Tire higher than the cities of Israel in the Holy Land, inhabited by the people of Israel, chosen and loved by God.
On the other hand, there are words of severe criticism on the cities of Israel, where Jesus often stayed, taught and performed miracles. Of those mentioned, the least known is Chorazin. We only know that it was situated on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Much more is said in the gospels about Bethsaida and Capernaum. Several apostles came from Bethsaida, including Peter. In his home, Jesus healed the apostle's mother-in-law as well as many who were possessed and sick (Mt 8: 14-16). An even more privileged place was Capernaum, the city of Jesus. After leaving Nazareth, Jesus settled in Capernaum (Mt 4:13), where he performed many miracles. The most famous is the healing of the paralytic (Mt 9: 1-8; Mk 2: 1-12; Lk 5: 17-26). Unfortunately, the inhabitants of these cities, witnesses of God's great power, remained closed and indifferent to the action of grace. Jesus' words against the inhabitants of these places are full of horror and sadness at the same time. With what hardness of human hearts he had to face when he made such a dramatic assessment?
Although Jesus initially addressed his words to the biblical people of Israel, with time they spread more and more and take on much more meaning. The danger that the listeners of historical Jesus succumbed remains real for people of all times, including the people of the Church. With the last, the range of accusations on the part of Jesus could be much greater than in the case of Bethsaida or Capernaum. The purpose of the Gospel, however, is not to fill us with fear, but to lift our spirits, remind us, make us aware of it, and call us to conversion. The unhappy history of Galilean cities can be of great help in shaking off the lethargy of indifference and mediocrity.
Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (cf. 1 Pet 1:13)
Until Tomorrow
fr. george