Luke 13

King James Version

Full text for Luke Chapter 13

1¶ There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

2And 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.

11And, 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].

12And when Jesus saw her, he called [her to him], and said unto her, ‹Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.›

13And he laid [his] hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

14And 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.

15The 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?›

17And 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.›

20And 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.›

22And 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.

32And 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.›

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jesus addresses the belief that suffering indicates greater sin, emphasizing that all must repent to avoid perishing, as illustrated by the parable of the barren fig tree. He heals a woman on the Sabbath, defending his action against the synagogue ruler by asserting the priority of human liberation. Jesus then describes the Kingdom of God through the parables of the mustard seed and leaven, highlighting its growth and pervasive nature. He warns about the difficulty of entering the 'strait gate' and laments Jerusalem's rejection of God's messengers.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with Jesus refuting the notion that the Galilaeans slain by Pilate or those killed by the tower of Siloam were greater sinners, instead urging all to repent lest they likewise perish. He then tells the parable of a barren fig tree, granted one more year of cultivation before being cut down, symbolizing God's patience and the opportunity for repentance. On the Sabbath, Jesus heals a woman who had been bowed for eighteen years, prompting indignation from the synagogue ruler. Jesus rebukes the ruler as a hypocrite, arguing that freeing a 'daughter of Abraham' from Satan's bondage on the Sabbath is more righteous than watering an animal. He then likens the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed, growing into a great tree, and to leaven, permeating a whole batch of dough. Jesus warns against complacency, urging people to strive to enter the 'strait gate,' as many will seek to enter but be unable, finding themselves shut out from the Kingdom despite past association. Finally, Jesus receives a warning about Herod's intent to kill him, to which he defiantly responds, affirming his continued ministry and lamenting Jerusalem's historical rejection and killing of prophets, foretelling its desolation.

Long Summary

Luke chapter 13 begins with Jesus addressing two recent tragedies: the Galilaeans whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices, and the eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell. Jesus refutes the popular belief that these victims were greater sinners, instead declaring that unless all repent, they shall likewise perish, underscoring the universal need for repentance. He then presents the parable of a fig tree planted in a vineyard, which for three years yielded no fruit. The owner commands it to be cut down, but the dresser pleads for one more year to dig about and dung it, offering a final opportunity for fruitfulness before judgment. This parable illustrates God's patience and the grace period extended for repentance and spiritual fruit-bearing. Later, while teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus encounters a woman who had been afflicted by a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years, leaving her bowed and unable to straighten herself. Jesus calls her, declares her loosed from her infirmity, and lays hands on her, immediately healing her. The ruler of the synagogue, indignant that Jesus healed on the Sabbath, publicly criticizes the people for seeking healing on that day. Jesus sharply rebukes him as a hypocrite, questioning why they would loose their animals for water on the Sabbath but object to a 'daughter of Abraham' being loosed from Satan's bondage. His adversaries are shamed, and the people rejoice. Following this, Jesus describes the Kingdom of God through two parables: first, like a grain of mustard seed that grows into a great tree, symbolizing its humble beginnings and vast expansion; and second, like leaven hidden in three measures of meal, which eventually leavens the whole, representing its pervasive and transformative influence. He then addresses the question of salvation, urging people to 'strive to enter in at the strait gate,' warning that many will seek to enter but be unable once the master of the house has shut the door. He states that those who merely claim familiarity with him but are 'workers of iniquity' will be denied entry, leading to weeping and gnashing of teeth as they see the patriarchs and prophets in the Kingdom while they are thrust out. Jesus concludes by noting that 'there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.' Finally, Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod seeks to kill him, but Jesus defiantly sends a message to 'that fox,' stating he will continue casting out devils and doing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day he shall be perfected. He laments over Jerusalem, which kills prophets, expressing his desire to gather her children like a hen gathers her brood, but she would not, prophesying her house will be left desolate until she acknowledges Him.

Core Concepts

  • Repentance and JudgmentJesus directly challenges the idea that suffering is a direct consequence of greater sin, instead asserting that all individuals must repent to avoid perishing, highlighting the universal call to spiritual transformation.
  • Divine Patience and OpportunityThe parable of the barren fig tree illustrates God's patience, granting a period of grace and cultivation before a final judgment for unfruitfulness, emphasizing the opportunity for change.
  • Sabbath Healing and AuthorityJesus heals an infirm woman on the Sabbath, asserting his authority over the strict interpretation of the Sabbath law by prioritizing human liberation from suffering and spiritual bondage, rebuking the synagogue ruler's hypocrisy.
  • The Kingdom of God's GrowthThrough the parables of the mustard seed and leaven, Jesus describes the Kingdom of God as starting small but growing extensively and pervading all it touches, signifying its transformative power and reach.
  • Striving for SalvationJesus teaches that entering the 'strait gate' requires earnest striving, warning that many will seek to enter but fail, emphasizing the need for genuine commitment beyond mere outward association.
  • Jerusalem's Rejection and DesolationJesus laments Jerusalem's historical pattern of killing prophets and expresses his sorrow over its refusal to be gathered, foretelling its desolation until it acknowledges the Lord's messenger.
  • Reversal of StatusThe statement that 'there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last' signifies a reordering of societal and spiritual standing within the Kingdom of God, challenging conventional expectations.