What Does Luke 10:15 Mean in the King James?
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The height that seems to promise heaven can become the measure of the fall.
THE MEANING
This verse speaks to you wherever an apparent rise seems secure: it places elevation beside an abrupt descent. A high position does not make you untouchable; the line holds that position open to reversal.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that visible elevation proves you are safe from being brought low.
THE ROOT
ὑψωθήσῃ
hypsōthēsē
GROWS FROM
ὑψόω
hypsoō
to lift or raise high
“exalted” in this verse is hypsōthēsē. This Greek word family links the act of raising with height itself and with what is highest. The upward motion that seems to promise a heavenly position remains exposed to the descent named next.
ALSO GROWS
hypsos: height
ὕψος
The shared word family makes the verse’s elevation a real upward movement, not simply a mark of status.
hypsistos: highest; Most High when used as a title
ὕψιστος
The highest point in the word family sharpens the verse’s contrast between reaching heaven and being brought low.
καταβήσῃ
katabēsē
GROWS FROM
βαίνω
bainō
to step or go
“thrust down” in this verse is katabēsē. The verb carries the sense of going down, with direction built into the compound. Its word family holds ascent and descent as opposite movements along one path, making the verse’s reversal vivid.
ALSO GROWS
anabainō: to go up, ascend
ἀναβαίνω
Its upward direction contrasts with the downward movement in the verse.
katabainō: to go down, descend
καταβαίνω
This compound shares the verse’s downward direction and shows how the root’s basic movement takes its course.
THE PATTERN
Scripture sets apparent elevation beside the possibility of being brought low.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.THE THREAD
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.Luke 14:11 uses the same Greek verb for “exalt” (ὑψόω, hypsoō). It sets raising and lowering in direct relation, opening the descent in Luke 10:15 as part of a larger reversal.
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