A Year in Luke/ActsNäide

Between the 72 being sent out and returning, Jesus says a series of “woes” to unrepentant cities.

The “woes” further highlight Luke’s emphasis on the outsiders being included in God’s kingdom and the consequences of not realizing one’s need for God. It would be easy to read this section as Jesus being overly harsh. There is certainly strong language here but there is a purpose. Jesus is calling these cities in Israel to repent and turn from their ways. They are under a lot stricter requirements because they should know better. Tyre and Sidon are examples of cities that would have repented if they had had the chance of the ones being condemned. It is important to remember Jesus’ heart in giving these woes: repentance. Think of the story of Jonah, Nineveh was given a warning by God and they listened. They humbled themselves and repented, escaping the destruction they were warned about. Of course, Jesus wants the same for these cities in Israel. The reference to Tyre and Sidon, and bringing to mind the story of Nineveh, shows us that it is often outsiders that listen to God’s message. This is what Luke is trying to highlight.