Sodom and Gomorrah: What Really Happened?

A message to Believers.

Matthew 11:24 A message to the self-righteous and the counterfeit. Who wield scripture as a weapon, in self condemnation.

“Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.” -Jesus Christ-

What really happened in Sodom and Gomorrah: A Biblical and Historical Clarification.

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is often cited in discussions about sexuality, particularly in debates around homosexuality and the LGBTQ community. Unfortunately, the story is frequently misused to justify condemnation, exclusion, or even hatred toward people based on sexual orientation. But when the story is read in its actual context — using the original Hebrew, the surrounding biblical text, and a proper understanding of ancient Near Eastern culture — a very different picture emerges.

The Core Story: Genesis 19

The story begins in Genesis 19. Two angels, appearing as men, visit the city of Sodom and are taken in by Lot, Abraham’s nephew. That evening, all the men of the city — both young and old, from every quarter — surround Lot’s house and demand that he bring out his guests so they can “have relations with them” (Genesis 19:5, NASB). The Hebrew verb used here is “yada,” which literally means “to know,” but in this context (and others like Genesis 4:1), it clearly refers to sexual intercourse.

This was not a request for consensual intimacy. It was an attempted act of gang rape, rooted in humiliation, violence, and domination. These men did not know they were dealing with angels. To them, these were foreign travelers — outsiders — and the intention was to sexually abuse them as a way to assert power, degrade, and shame. This kind of assault was a known form of humiliation in ancient cultures, especially against strangers and prisoners. It was about control, not orientation.

Lot responds with horror, begging them not to act wickedly and even offering his own daughters in a desperate attempt to protect his guests — a move that, while disturbing to modern readers, demonstrates how sacred the duty of hospitality was in ancient culture.

Was Sodom Destroyed Because of Homosexuality?

The short answer is no — not in the way many people think. The Bible never says Sodom was destroyed simply because of biological same-sex attraction. Instead, the sin was far more complex and systemic. Ezekiel 16:49–50 gives us God’s own commentary on the matter:

“Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. So they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it.”

This passage makes clear that the root sin of Sodom was pride, arrogance, gluttony, neglect of the vulnerable, and committing abominations — a term that often implies acts of deep moral or ritual perversion, including sexual violence and idolatry. It was about the total collapse of moral, spiritual, and social order — not about loving someone of the same sex.

Jude 1:7 adds that Sodom and the surrounding cities “indulged in sexual perversion and went after strange flesh.” The phrase “strange flesh” refers not to same-sex relationships, but to actions that violate the natural order — in this case, attempting to rape divine beings. This echoes what Genesis shows: that the men of Sodom sought to do something unnatural and abusive, not something born of genuine affection or desire.

Misuse of the Story Today

Sadly, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is often weaponized against LGBTQ individuals — people who may be living with compassion, integrity, and love. Some go so far as to claim that Sodom was “the first LGBTQ-friendly city,” and use its destruction as proof that God condemns same-sex attraction. That’s not only a misreading of the Bible; it’s dangerous theology.

In reality, the sin of Sodom was the exact opposite of love and community. It was the abuse of power, the corruption of hospitality, the oppression of the weak, and the normalization of cruelty. When people today use Sodom’s story to justify prejudice, they ironically echo the very arrogance and lack of compassion that led to Sodom’s destruction.

What the Story Actually Teaches

God hates injustice, cruelty, and the abuse of power, especially against the vulnerable and the outsider.

Hospitality, righteousness, and protection of the weak are core biblical values, and Sodom failed catastrophically at all of them.

Sexual sin in Sodom was not about orientation but about violence, humiliation, and disregard for human dignity.

Modern Christians should be slow to judge and quick to show mercy — because, according to Jesus in Matthew 11:24, even Sodom may fare better on Judgment Day than the religiously self-righteous who reject God’s truth and grace.

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is not a divine indictment of people who experience same-sex attraction. It is a powerful warning against unchecked pride, violent abuse, systemic injustice, and the failure to care for others. The real sin of Sodom lives on not in LGBTQ people, but in those who twist God’s Word to marginalize, exclude, and condemn.

Let’s stop weaponizing Scripture and start reading it for what it actually says. Truth doesn’t need to scream — it just needs to be spoken clearly.