Closed Study

I decided to do a little searching through previous studies on this verse, and I do think it helped shed a little light on one possibility that would resolve my confusion if it is correct.

I started by reading a Greek word study on verse 23 and most of it was over my head, but one thing it noted was that there are some translators who feel the confusion on the verse comes from a mistranslation in older bible versions (like the KJV I read it from). It mentioned that some newer translations interpret the portion of the verse regarding Capernaum being exalted unto heaven as being a question, rather than a statement. Ultimately, the Greek word study views the first part of verse 23 as a negative statement based on the literal Greek interpretation.

I'm no scholar, so I can't say without a doubt that interpreting it as a question is the answer, but in my mind it would erase much of the confusion surrounding the verse as it's presented to us in the KJV. I also read several commentaries but couldn't find any that addressed this verse as a question rather than a statement.

The King James reads like this, "And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (Matthew 11:23)

To translate it as a question would leave less confusion about the verse. It would read something like this: And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to hell...

Translating the first portion of verse 23 as a question does put it more in line with the context of the surrounding verses, especially the preceding verses 20-22. Also, it changes the timing of the thought from the past to the future. As a statement it seems to imply that Capernaum has already been exalted, which it had not been. As a question it is more rhetorical and presents the thought as something that would be expected to happen at a later time, likely on the day of judgement.

Ultimately, whether a negative statement or a question, the underlying theme of verses 20-24 is that, despite the works and miracles Jesus performed in these three towns, they rejected Him and thus will experience a worse punishment at the day of judgement than the town of Sodom, and we all know how things worked out for them.