Luke13
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they have suffered these things?
3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.
4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were offenders above all the men that dwell in Jerusalem?
5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
6And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none.
7And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground?
8And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.
10And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath day.
11And behold, a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and could in no wise lift herself up.
12And when Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13And he laid his hands upon her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14And the ruler of the synagogue, being moved with indignation because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, answered and said to the multitude, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the day of the sabbath.
15But the Lord answered him, and said, Ye hypocrites, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound, lo, these eighteen years, to have been loosed from this bond on the day of the sabbath?
17And as he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame: and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
18He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it?
19It is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his own garden; and it grew, and became a tree; and the birds of the heaven lodged in the branches thereof.
20And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21It is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.
22And he went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and journeying on unto Jerusalem.
23And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved? And he said unto them,
24Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are;
26then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets;
27and he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast forth without.
29And they shall come from the east and west, and from the north and south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30And behold, there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last.
31In that very hour there came certain Pharisees, saying to him, Get thee out, and go hence: for Herod would fain kill thee.
32And he said unto them, Go and say to that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I am perfected.
33Nevertheless I must go on my way to-day and to-morrow and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
34O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her own brood under her wings, and ye would not!
35Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Luke 13.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Christ exhorts to repentance from the case of the Galileans and others. (1–5). Parable of the barren fig-tree. (6–9). The infirm woman strengthened. (10–17). The parables of the mustard seed, and leaven. (18–22). Exhortation to enter at the strait gate. (23–30). Christ's reproof to Herod, and to the people of Jerusalem. (31–35).
vv1-5
Mention was made to Christ of the death of some Galileans. This tragical story is briefly related here, and is not met with in any historians. In Christ's reply he spoke of another event, which, like it, gave an instance of people taken away by sudden death. Towers, that are built for safety, often prove to be men's destruction. He cautioned his hearers not to blame great sufferers, as if they were therefore to be accounted great sinners. As no place or employment can secure from the stroke of death, we should consider the sudden removals of others as warnings to ourselves. On these accounts Christ founded a call to repentance. The same Jesus that bids us repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, bids us repent, for otherwise we shall perish.
vv6-9
This parable of the barren fig-tree is intended to enforce the warning given just before: the barren tree, except it brings forth fruit, will be cut down. This parable in the first place refers to the nation and people of the Jews. Yet it is, without doubt, for awakening all that enjoy the means of grace, and the privileges of the visible church. When God has borne long, we may hope that he will bear with us yet a little longer, but we cannot expect that he will bear always.
vv10-17
Our Lord Jesus attended upon public worship on the sabbaths. Even bodily infirmities, unless very grievous, should not keep us from public worship on sabbath days. This woman came to Christ to be taught, and to get good to her soul, and then he relieved her bodily infirmity. This cure represents the work of Christ's grace upon the soul. And when crooked souls are made straight, they will show it by glorifying God. Christ knew that this ruler had a real enmity to him and to his gospel, and that he did but cloak it with a pretended zeal for the sabbath day; he really would not have them be healed any day; but if Jesus speaks the word, and puts forth his healing power, sinners are set free. This deliverance is often wrought on the Lord's day; and whatever labour tends to put men in the way of receiving the blessing, agrees with the design of that day.
Key Words
δέ (dé): but, and, etc.
πάρειμι (páreimi): to be near, i.e. at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural) property
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καιρός (kairós): an occasion, i.e. set or proper time
τὶς (tìs): some or any person or object
ἀπαγγέλλω (apangéllō): to announce
περί (perí): properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period)
Γαλιλαῖος (Galilaîos): Galilean or belonging to Galilea
ὅς (hós): the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Luke 13Direct parallel of Jesus' lament over Jerusalem, expressing His desire to gather her children.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Historically identifies Judas of Galilee, whose followers likely formed the Galilean faction slain by Pilate.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Classic Old Testament prophetic backdrop of God's vineyard and His expectation of spiritual fruit.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel parable of the mustard seed, showing the outward growth of the kingdom of God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallel parable of the leaven, illustrating the internal, transforming power of the kingdom.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallels those who claim outward familiarity with Christ but are ultimately rejected as workers of iniquity.
Supported by John Calvin
Parallels the warning that Gentiles from east and west will sit with Abraham, while Jews are excluded.
Supported by John Calvin
Illustrates the common Jewish assumption that specific suffering is the direct result of greater personal sin.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Mentions the Pool of Siloam, localizing the tragic site of the fallen tower.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Defines true spiritual descent from Abraham, comparing this bound woman to Zacchaeus' covenant status.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the exhortation to enter by the narrow gate, indicating the difficulty of salvation.
Supported by John Calvin
Echoes the universal apostolic demand for genuine repentance followed by consistent, fruitful deeds.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes John the Baptist's warning that every fruitless tree will soon be cut down.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates Satan's power to inflict physical infirmity or distress on God's people.
Supported by JFB
Warns of seeking wisdom and entry too late, after the door of opportunity has closed.
Supported by JFB