Jesus refers to the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah on judgment day as examples of the greatest conceivable wickedness and of God’s judgment over it. The fate of the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:16–19:29) was already a proverb in Old Testament times (Isaiah 1:9–10). Sodom and Gomorrah had long been considered the embodiment of evil (see Matthew 11:22, Matthew 11:24; Luke 17:29; Romans 9:29; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 1:7). The day of judgment
mentioned here in Matthew 10:15 refers to the day at the end of history upon which God will judge the whole world (see Acts 17:31; Revelation 20:11–15).
This statement seals the judgment over unbelieving Israel. The lost sheep who still reject a Shepherd will be worse off on the day of judgment than the land of Sodom and Gomorrah. Two angels had gone to Sodom only for inspection and the whole area went up in flames after its citizens refused to welcome the angels hospitably, but treated them shamefully. Jesus’ apostles now approach the lost sheep of Israel, two into each city or town, with power over demons and the gospel of salvation. People who reject them are more guilty than those who wanted to abuse the angels. The apostles had to learn that in this new dispensation there will not just be fire descending from heaven (Luke 9:54), but descent into the final judgment.
The fate of the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:16–19:29) had already become a proverb in Old Testament times (Isaiah 1:9–10). Sodom and Gomorrah had long been considered the embodiment of evil (see Matthew 11:22, Matthew 11:24; Luke 17:29; Romans 9:29; 2 Peter 2:6; and Jude 1:7), and as people for whom there would be no hope on the day of judgment. The day of judgment
mentioned here in Matthew 10:15 refers to the day at the end of history upon which God will judge the whole world (see Acts 17:31; Revelation 20:11–15).1
Throughout Scripture the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah serve as examples of the greatest conceivable wickedness and of God’s judgment over it. The fact that Jesus employs this specific example in Matthew 10:15 must have really left quite the impression on the apostles, for the Israelites regarded themselves as being superior to the Gentiles and most certainly far superior to the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah.2
By means of this solemn statement the definitive judgment over unbelieving Israel is sealed. The lost sheep who want to remain without a Shepherd will be worse off than the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment. Only two angels had gone to Sodom for inspection and the whole area went up in flames after the inhabitants refused to welcome the angels hospitably but rather treated them shamefully. The apostles of Jesus now approach the lost sheep of Israel. Two go into each city or town exhibiting great power over the demons and with the gospel of salvation. When people then reject them, they are even more guilty than those who wanted to abuse the angels.3
By emphasizing the judgment that results from the rejection of the gospel Jesus emphasizes how those to whom the apostles were sent had to react. The work of Jesus will be spread among Israel, but at the same time he explains the nature of the apostolic office and what the apostles can expect. The apostles had to learn that in this new dispensation there will not just be fire descending from heaven (Luke 9:54), but descent into the final judgment.4
11 Dans quelque ville ou village que vous entriez, informez-vous s'il s'y trouve quelque homme digne de vous recevoir; et demeurez chez lui jusqu'à ce que vous partiez.