The Lord, who knows all things, here uses a word expressing uncertainty — “perhaps,” to shew that freedom of choice is left to men. “But I say unto you, it shall be easier for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” And be it known, that in speaking of the city or country, the Lord does not chide with the buildings and walls, but with the men that inhabit there, by the figure metonymy, putting the thing containing for the thing contained. The words, “It shall be easier in the day of judgment,” clearly prove that there are divers punishments in hell, as there are divers mansions in the kingdom of heaven.
Reproduced in full. Translation: Oxford 1841 (Newman), public domain (Public domain).