Why did Jesus mention Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10:14?

ANSWER

Tyre and Sidon, ancient cities of Phoenicia, are mentioned several times in both the Old and
New Testaments. Jesus mentions Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10 in the context of judgments He
was pronouncing against the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida.

Tyre and Sidon are port cities located in modern Lebanon on the Mediterranean coast.
Sidon is believed to have existed prior to 2000 BC, with Tyre being just a little younger. The
Old Testament mentions Israel’s dealings with these cities, including the Israelites’ failure
to conquer Sidon in the conquest of the Promised Land (Judges 1:31), their worship of
Sidonian gods on several occasions (Judges 10:6–16; 1 Kings 11), and their obtaining
materials from Sidon and Tyre for the building of the temple (1 Chronicles 22:4). King
Hiram of Tyre provided many of the temple furnishings for Solomon (1 Kings 7:13–51).