Luke 13 :1-5, Evil and repentance
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
History does not record elsewhere the two events mentioned here. Apparently around this time king Herod (who beheaded John) massacred some Galilean Jews while they were performing religious sacrifices. This disaster stimulated questions along the typical line, How could God allow this? The disciples ask, Were the Galileans tainted or sinful in some way? In response, Jesus mentions 18 killed by a natural disaster, possibly an earthquake, when a tower fell. Regardless of the event, Jesus warns of greater disasters coming and the general need for repentance. He gives no explanation for these disasters but warns of a future apocalypse. Some say this future apocalypse is the sacking of Jerusalem which occurred in 70 CE. Others say it is a still coming Great Tribulation described in the book of Revelation.
Luke 13 :6-9, Bearing fruit
Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, `For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'
'Sir,' the man replied, `leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'"
Note the patience of the gardener. In this story, the gardener represents God, who is waiting on Israel and rest of mankind to respond.
Luke 13: 10-17, A woman healed on the sabbath
On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.
Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath."
The Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?"
When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
It is sad that the ruler of the synagogue is upset about this healing! This religious leader has lost his priorities. Jesus is not shy about confronting him. Of course the real tragedy here is that this leader, in his focus on legalistic religious performances, has completely missed the appearance of his Messiah, standing in front of him!
It is sad that the ruler of the synagogue is upset about this healing! This religious leader has lost his priorities. Jesus is not shy about confronting him. Of course the real tragedy here is that this leader, in his focus on legalistic religious performances, has completely missed the appearance of his Messiah, standing in front of him!
Note how Jesus addresses the woman and speaks of her ("daughter of Abraham".)
Jesus suggests that the Sabbath, set aside for God, should be the day of healing!
Luke 13: 18-22, The kingdom of God
Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches."
Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.
In these two parables he describes this kingdom as something small and unnoticeable, of almost no consequence, but something that slowly grows and builds until it has infiltrated the world!
The Greek phrase translated by the NIV "large amount" is literally "three satas", probably about 1/2 bushel or 22 liters (NIV footnotes.)
Luke 13: 23-30, The narrow door
Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?"
Jesus suggests that the Sabbath, set aside for God, should be the day of healing!
Luke 13: 18-22, The kingdom of God
Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches."
Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.
In these two parables he describes this kingdom as something small and unnoticeable, of almost no consequence, but something that slowly grows and builds until it has infiltrated the world!
The Greek phrase translated by the NIV "large amount" is literally "three satas", probably about 1/2 bushel or 22 liters (NIV footnotes.)
Luke 13: 23-30, The narrow door
Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?"
He said to them "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, `Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, `I don't know you or where you come from.'
"Then you will say, `We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'
"But he will reply, `I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'
"There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.
People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."
Jesus is alerts his fellow Jews to the fact that the kingdom is being opened up all those dirty unreligious Gentiles. The kingdom will not be restricted to the Jews. Indeed, just being in the lineage of Abe, Isaac and Jake may not be enough.
As a Gentile, I am grateful that the Jewish Messiah is available for all!
Luke 13: 31-35, Looking toward Jerusalem
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you."
He replied, "Go tell that fox, `I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day--for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, `Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' "
"Then you will say, `We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'
"But he will reply, `I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'
"There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.
People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."
Jesus is alerts his fellow Jews to the fact that the kingdom is being opened up all those dirty unreligious Gentiles. The kingdom will not be restricted to the Jews. Indeed, just being in the lineage of Abe, Isaac and Jake may not be enough.
As a Gentile, I am grateful that the Jewish Messiah is available for all!
Luke 13: 31-35, Looking toward Jerusalem
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you."
He replied, "Go tell that fox, `I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.' In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day--for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, `Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' "
Jesus is resolved to go to his death in Jerusalem. He makes no attempt to appease Herod.
What is the motive of the Pharisees in telling Jesus that Herod is after him? Lately the Pharisees, as a group, have been opposed to Jesus.
The mother hen picture is a poignant one. Throughout his ministry, Jesus has been reaching out to the Jews and the nation whose capitol is Jerusalem.
The Old Testament quote in verse 35 is from Psalm 118:26.
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