But to the hardened and impenitent Jesus shows himself terrifyingly severe.

Witness his condemnation of the cities of Galilee where most of his miracles had been done, because they did not repent: “Woe to you, Chorazin!  Woe to you, Bethsaida!”  For if the miracles done in you had been done in the heathen cities of Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.  “But I tell you, on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you” (NRSV, Matthew 11:21,22).

Witness the Parables of the Judgement, the lesson of which is expressed in the fearful words of the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats in which Our Lord says, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire…” (RSV, Matthew 25:31-46).