Sodom and Gomorrah, two ancient cities famously destroyed by God for their wickedness, are well-known from the Old Testament. However, their story doesn’t remain in the past—these cities are also mentioned in the New Testament as examples of divine judgment and warnings to believers.
The New Testament reflects on their destruction to convey deeper spiritual truths about sin, repentance, and God’s justice.
In this blog post, we will explore 15 Bible verses that reference Sodom and Gomorrah in the New Testament. By understanding these verses, we can gain insights into God’s character, His standards of righteousness, and the importance of living in accordance with His will.
These lessons are not just historical but offer practical guidance for us today.
1. Matthew 10:15
“Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
Explanation:
In this verse, Jesus uses the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as a reference point for judgment. He speaks to His disciples about the consequences for cities that reject the message of the Gospel. This verse emphasizes how rejecting God’s message leads to severe consequences, and the example of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a dire warning.
2. Matthew 11:23-24
“And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
Explanation:
Jesus contrasts Capernaum’s rejection of His teachings with Sodom’s infamous sin. He points out that Sodom, despite its wickedness, would have repented if it had witnessed the miracles Jesus performed. This highlights the responsibility of those who have seen God’s work and still choose to ignore it, implying that their judgment will be even more severe than that of Sodom.
3. Luke 10:12
“I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.”
Explanation:
Jesus, in Luke, reinforces the same message found in Matthew. The rejection of the Gospel message is a serious matter, and those who reject it will face even worse judgment than the people of Sodom. This highlights the significance of receiving God’s word and the dire consequences of ignoring it.
4. Luke 17:28-32
“It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the housetop, with possessions inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife!”
Explanation:
Jesus references the destruction of Sodom in the context of the end times. He compares the day of His return to the sudden destruction of Sodom, emphasizing the unexpected and irreversible nature of judgment. Lot’s wife turning back symbolizes the danger of clinging to the things of this world, even when salvation is at hand.
5. Romans 9:29
“It is just as Isaiah said previously: ‘Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.'”
Explanation:
Paul refers to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to emphasize God’s mercy in preserving a remnant. If God had not intervened, the people of Israel would have faced the same fate as these wicked cities. This verse underscores the importance of God’s grace in preventing complete destruction and preserving hope.
6. Romans 1:18-32 (Sodom and Gomorrah reference implied)
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who suppress the truth by their wickedness… They have become filled with every kind of wickedness… They were filled with envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice.”
Explanation:
Though Sodom and Gomorrah are not mentioned directly in this passage, the behaviors Paul lists mirror the sinfulness of these cities. Paul emphasizes the moral decay and how God’s wrath is revealed against such sin. This passage serves as a warning to those who live in rejection of God’s righteousness, much like the people of Sodom.
7. 2 Peter 2:6
“If he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly…”
Explanation:
Peter references Sodom and Gomorrah to show that God’s judgment is certain for the wicked. These cities serve as a clear example of what will happen to all who live in unrepentant sin. This verse reinforces the idea of God’s righteous judgment, encouraging believers to live godly lives.
8. 2 Peter 2:7-8
“and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless… that righteous man, living among them, tormented his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard.”
Explanation:
Peter contrasts the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah with Lot’s righteousness. Lot’s distress over the wickedness of Sodom serves as an example for believers, showing that even in a corrupt world, righteousness can be maintained through God’s power.
9. Jude 1:7
“In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.”
Explanation:
Jude provides a stark warning by referencing Sodom and Gomorrah. Their sinful behavior, particularly sexual immorality and perversion, serves as an example of divine judgment. This verse underscores the seriousness of sin and its eternal consequences.
10. Matthew 11:23-24
“And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.”
Explanation:
Once again, Jesus draws a comparison between cities that rejected His message. He uses Sodom to show how much worse the judgment will be for those who saw Jesus’ miracles and still rejected Him. The implication is that rejection of God’s work in our lives leads to greater accountability.
11. Revelation 11:8
“Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—the city where also their Lord was crucified.”
Explanation:
In this passage, the “great city” represents a place of great wickedness, similar to the conditions of Sodom. Revelation often uses symbolism to describe the state of the world and the rebellion against God, and here, Sodom is used as a symbol for moral and spiritual corruption.
12. Luke 10:12
“I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for that town.”
Explanation:
This verse is similar to the earlier ones where Jesus highlights the severity of judgment for those who reject His message. Sodom’s fate serves as a comparative example, illustrating that those who reject God’s truth today will face even more severe consequences than the wicked cities of the past.
13. Luke 17:32
“Remember Lot’s wife!”
Explanation:
In the context of the end times, Jesus points back to Lot’s wife as a warning. She looked back at the city of Sodom as it was being destroyed and turned into a pillar of salt. This serves as a reminder not to long for the sinful world but to keep our eyes focused on God’s salvation.
14. Revelation 21:8
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Explanation:
The punishment of the wicked in the final judgment is compared to the fire that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. The fiery lake symbolizes eternal separation from God, and this verse serves as a final warning about the consequences of sin and rejection of God’s salvation.
15. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men… will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Explanation:
Paul provides a list of sins that will prevent people from inheriting God’s kingdom. Many of the sins he mentions mirror the behaviors seen in Sodom and Gomorrah, particularly sexual immorality. This serves as a reminder of the importance of living a righteous life, in contrast to the examples set by these ancient cities.
Conclusion: Lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah continues to resonate in the New Testament as a powerful example of God’s judgment against sin. These verses remind us of the consequences of ignoring God’s truth and the severity of rejecting His ways.
At the same time, they serve as a call to repentance and faith, showing us the path to redemption through Jesus Christ.
Call to Action:
How do you see the story of Sodom and Gomorrah influencing your walk with God today? Share your thoughts, reflections, or favorite Bible verses in the comments below.