Luke 10:15 Meaning and Explanation
“And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Capernaum, lifted high by the presence of Jesus, will be brought down to the depths for refusing him.
What Does Luke 10:15 Mean?
Capernaum was the home base of the Galilean ministry — more sermons, more healings, more of Jesus than any town on earth. Exalted to heaven indeed. The language echoes the taunt against proud Babylon in Isaiah 14, now turned upon a fishing town that presumed on its privilege.
Height of privilege determines depth of fall. Capernaum did not persecute Jesus; it simply absorbed him without yielding to him, and indifference proved as deadly as hostility. The warning reaches every heart that hosts holy things comfortably. To have Christ near is either exaltation or indictment — the one thing it cannot be is neutral.
Luke 10:15 in the Original Language
hades (ᾅδης), 'hell' -- the unseen realm of the dead, the depths set against the heights of heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 10:15
What does Luke 10:15 mean?
Capernaum, lifted high by the presence of Jesus, will be brought down to the depths for refusing him.