Chorazim (or Chorazin)

3 Lessons from a Cursed City

“Then [Jesus] began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done,
because they did not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you Bethsaida! For if the deeds of
power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in
sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and
Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought
down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have
remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for
the land of Sodom than for you.’” (Matt. 11:20-24 NRSV)

This passage and its parallel found in Luke 10 are the only places in Scripture in which the city of
Chorazim is mentioned. However, from this short passage we can learn a few lessons on how to
avoid becoming like Chorazim.

1. Be careful of the company you keep.

The two other cities cursed by Jesus in this passage are Bethsaida and Capernaum. All three of these cities were Jewish cities located near the Sea of Galilee, with Chorazim lying just 2-1/2 miles north of Capernaum. (You don’t have to be like those around you!)

2. Recognize Jesus’ “deeds of power” (miracles).

In these three cities, most of Jesus’ miracles
and teaching took place (see for example Matt. 8:5-13; Mark 1:29-31; 2:1-12; 9:33-50; Luke
7:1-10; John 4:46-54; 6:24-71). Thus, one would think that the people of the cities would
have recognized Jesus’ power as coming from God. However, that was not the case. As an
example see Mark 2:1-12. Jesus is in Capernaum and he heals a paralytic man. Rather than
recognizing the miracle, the scribes accuse Jesus of blasphemy! (Don’t accuse Jesus of
blasphemy!)

3. Repent.

Although so much teaching and so many miracles took place in Chorazim, the
inhabitants refused to repent. Jesus goes on to say if those same things had been done in
Tyre and Sidon (Gentile/pagan cities, not Jewish cities) they would have repented in
sackcloth and ashes. (Don’t refuse to repent!)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chorazin
http://www.wordofgodtoday.com/cursed-city- chorazin/
http://www.seetheholyland.net/chorazin/