Lucas 10:15

Capernaum had been the center of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. While it was more responsive than Nazareth (Luke 4:23), it was still less responsive than it should have been in view of the witness it had received. Jesus’ words of judgment undoubtedly grew out of God’s condemnation of the king of Babylon’s pride (Isaiah 14:13-15; cf. Matthew 11:23). Evidently the people of Capernaum expected God to treat them with special favor because Jesus had done many miracles there (cf. Luke 13:26). Jesus was picturing Hades (i.e., Sheol, the place of departed spirits) as opposite to heaven spatially. Hades was a place associated with humiliation and punishment whereas heaven was the place of joy and blessing. Jesus was contrasting the height of glory and the depth of degradation.

Luke 10:13-15 constitute a condemnation of the rejection of the ministry of the Seventy. These strong statements helped the disciples appreciate the importance of their mission as they went out.