1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.
20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 When 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, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
The thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the King James Version of the Holy Bible forms an integral part of the New Testament. This chapter, rich in parables and lessons, offers a profound exploration of the themes of repentance, divine judgment, the Kingdom of God, and the narrow door to salvation. Through a detailed analysis of this chapter, one can gain a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ's teachings and their relevance to Christian faith and practice.
The chapter begins with a discussion on the topic of repentance, which is a recurring theme in the New Testament. Jesus is informed about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Instead of commenting on the political implications or the brutality of the act, Jesus uses this incident to teach a significant spiritual lesson. He asks those present if they think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this way. He answers His own question with a resounding "No," but emphasizes that unless they repent, they too will perish. This is a clear indication that physical death is not the ultimate tragedy; spiritual death is. The same point is reiterated with the reference to the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them.
Following this, Jesus shares the parable of the barren fig tree. A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. He asked the vinedresser to cut it down because it was just taking up space. However, the vinedresser asked for one more year to dig around it and put manure on it. If it bore fruit in the next year, well and good; otherwise, it would be cut down. This parable underscores the patience of God, His desire for us to bear fruit, and the reality of divine judgment if we fail to do so.
The theme of the Kingdom of God is introduced through two parables. The first parable compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed, which, though the smallest of all seeds, grows into a large tree where the birds of the air can nest. The second parable likens the Kingdom of God to yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough. Both parables convey the same message - the Kingdom of God, though it begins inconspicuously and insignificantly, will grow into something large and influential.
In response to a question about the number of people who will be saved, Jesus introduces the metaphor of the narrow door. He emphasizes the necessity for striving to enter through the narrow door, for many will seek to enter and will not be able. This is a stark warning about complacency in matters of faith. Jesus warns of a time when the master of the house rises and shuts the door, and those outside will stand knocking and pleading, only to hear the words, "I know you not whence ye are" This passage underscores the urgency of repentance and the dire consequences of delay.
The chapter concludes with a poignant lament over Jerusalem. Jesus, expressing His sorrow over Jerusalem's impending doom, portrays Himself as a hen gathering her brood under her wings, but Jerusalem was not willing. Noteworthy here is the use of maternal imagery for God, which underscores God's nurturing and protective nature. Jesus' lament over Jerusalem encapsulates His ministry's tragic rejection by those He came to save. His words, "Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." prophesy the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, which will occur much later.
In conclusion, chapter 13 of the Gospel of Luke is a powerful exposition of the teachings of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the need for repentance, the reality of divine judgment, the growth and influence of the Kingdom of God, and the urgency of entering through the narrow door. At the same time, it reveals the compassionate heart of God, who, like a patient vinedresser or a protective hen, longs for His people to bear fruit and to be gathered under His protective wings.
Through a careful study of this chapter, readers are urged to examine their own lives in light of these teachings. Are we bearing the fruits of repentance in our lives? Are we striving to enter through the narrow door? Are we recognizing the growth and influence of the Kingdom of God in our lives and in the world around us? Are we responding to God's compassionate call, or are we, like Jerusalem, unwilling? These are the challenging questions that chapter 13 of the Gospel of Luke confronts us with, urging us towards a deeper and more committed faith.
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