Luke 13

1 Just then, some people came to tell Yeshua about the men from the Galil whom Pilate had slaughtered even while they were slaughtering animals for sacrifice.

2 His answer to them was, "Do you think that just because they died so horribly, these folks from the Galil were worse sinners than all the others from the Galil?

3 No, I tell you. Rather, unless you turn to God from your sins, you will all die as they did!

4 "Or what about those eighteen people who died when the tower at Shiloach fell on them? Do you think they were worse offenders than all the other people living in Yerushalayim?

5 No, I tell you. Rather, unless you turn from your sins, you will all die similarly."

6 Then Yeshua gave this illustration: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vine yard, and he came looking for fruit but didn't find any.

7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, `Here, I've come looking for fruit on this fig tree for three years now without finding any. Cut it down -- why let it go on using up the soil?'

8 But he answered, `Sir, leave it alone one more year. I'll dig around it and put manure on it.

9 If it bears fruit next year, well and good; if not, you will have it cut down then.'"

10 Yeshua was teaching in one of the synagogues on Shabbat.

11 A woman came up who had a spirit which had crippled her for eighteen years; she was bent double and unable to stand erect at all.

12 On seeing her, Yeshua called her and said to her, "Lady, you have been set free from your weakness!"

13 He put his hands on her, and at once she stood upright and began to glorify God.

14 But the president of the synagogue, indignant that Yeshua had healed on Shabbat, spoke up and said to the congregation, "There are six days in the week for working; so come during those days to be healed, not on Shabbat!"

15 However, the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Each one of you on Shabbat -- don't you unloose your ox or your donkey from the stall and lead him off to drink?

16 This woman is a daughter of Avraham, and the Adversary kept her tied up for eighteen years! Shouldn't she be freed from this bondage on Shabbat?"

17 By these words, Yeshua put to shame the people who opposed him; but the rest of the crowd were happy about all the wonderful things that were taking place through him.

18 So he went on to say, "What is the Kingdom of God like? With what will we compare it?

19 It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his own garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds flying about nested in its branches."

20 Again he said, "With what will I compare the Kingdom of God?

21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with a bushel of flour, then waited until the whole batch of dough rose."

22 Yeshua continued traveling through town after town and village after village, teaching and making his way toward Yerushalayim.

23 Someone asked him, "Are only a few people being saved?"

24 He answered, "Struggle to get in through the narrow door, because -- I'm telling you! -- many will be demanding to get in and won't be able to,

25 once the owner of the house has gotten up and shut the door. You will stand outside, knocking at the door and saying, `Lord! Open up for us!' But he will answer, `I don't know you or where you come from!'

26 Then you will say, `We ate and drank with you! you taught in our streets!'

27 and he will tell you, `I don't know where you're from. Get away from me, all you workers of wickedness!'

28 You will cry and grind your teeth when you see Avraham, Yitz'chak, Ya`akov and all the prophets inside the Kingdom of God, but yourselves thrown outside.

29 Moreover, people will come from the east, the west, the north and the south to sit at table in the Kingdom of God.

30 And notice that some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last."

31 Just at that moment, some P'rushim came up and said to Yeshua, "Get out and go away from here, because Herod wants to kill you!"

32 He said to them, "Go, tell that fox, `Pay attention: today and tomorrow I am driving out demons and healing people, and on the third day I reach my goal.'

33 Nevertheless, I must keep travelling today, tomorrow and the next day; because it is unthinkable that a prophet should die anywhere but in Yerushalayim.

34 "Yerushalayim! Yerushalayim! You kill the prophets! You stone those who are sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children, just as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, but you refused!

35 Look! God is abandoning your house to you! I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, `Blessed is he who comes in the name of ADONAI!'"

Luke 13 Commentary

Chapter 13

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)

Verses 1-5 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.

Verses 6-9 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.

Verses 10-17 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.

Verses 18-22 Here is the progress of the gospel foretold in two parables, as in ( Matthew 13 ) . The kingdom of the Messiah is the kingdom of God. May grace grow in our hearts; may our faith and love grow exceedingly, so as to give undoubted evidence of their reality. May the example of God's saints be blessed to those among whom they live; and may his grace flow from heart to heart, until the little one becomes a thousand.

Verses 23-30 Our Saviour came to guide men's consciences, not to gratify their curiosity. Ask not, How many shall be saved? But, Shall I be one of them? Not, What shall become of such and such? But, What shall I do, and what will become of me? Strive to enter in at the strait gate. This is directed to each of us; it is, Strive ye. All that will be saved, must enter in at the strait gate, must undergo a change of the whole man. Those that would enter in, must strive to enter. Here are awakening considerations, to enforce this exhortation. Oh that we may be all awakened by them! They answer the question, Are there few that shall be saved? But let none despond either as to themselves or others, for there are last who shall be first, and first who shall be last. If we reach heaven, we shall meet many there whom we little thought to meet, and miss many whom we expected to find.

Verses 31-35 Christ, in calling Herod a fox, gave him his true character. The greatest of men were accountable to God, therefore it became him to call this proud king by his own name; but it is not an example for us. I know, said our Lord, that I must die very shortly; when I die, I shall be perfected, I shall have completed my undertaking. It is good for us to look upon the time we have before us as but little, that we may thereby be quickened to do the work of the day in its day. The wickedness of persons and places which more than others profess religion and relation to God, especially displeases and grieves the Lord Jesus. The judgment of the great day will convince unbelievers; but let us learn thankfully to welcome, and to profit by all who come in the name of the Lord, to call us to partake of his great salvation.