Luke13
New King James Version
1There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
3I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
4Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
5I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
6He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
7Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’
8But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
9And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’ ”
10Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.
11And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.
12But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”
13And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”
15The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?
16So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”
17And when 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.
18Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?
19It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”
20And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.”
22And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them,
24“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
25When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’
26then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’
27But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’
28There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.
29They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God.
30And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”
31On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.”
32And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’
33Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.
34“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!
35See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes 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