Luke 13
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Commentaries
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At that season - At what time this happened is not easy to determine; but it appears that it was now a piece of news which was told to Christ and his disciples for the first time. Whose blood Pilate had mingled - This piece of history is not recorded (as far as I can find) by Josephus: however, he states that the Galileans were the most seditious people in the land: they belonged properly to Herod's jurisdiction; but, as they kept the great feasts at Jerusalem, they probably, by their tumultuous behavior at some one of them, gave Pilate, who was a mortal enemy to Herod, a pretext to fall upon and slay many of them; and thus, perhaps, sacrifice the people to the resentment he had against the prince. Archelaus is represented by Josephus as sending his soldiers into the temple, and slaying 3000 men while they were employed in offering sacrifices. Josephus, War, b. ii. c. 1, s. 3, and ii. c. 5. Some suppose that this refers to the followers of Judas Gaulonites, (see Act 5:37), who would not acknowledge the Roman government, a number of whom Pilate surrounded and slew, while they were sacrificing in the temple. See Josephus, Antiq. lib. 18: but this is not very certain.
Open source ↗THE LESSON, "REPENT OR PERISH," SUGGESTED BY TWO RECENT INCIDENTS, AND ILLUSTRATED BY THE PARABLE OF THE BARREN FIG TREE. (Luk 13:1-9) Galileans--possibly the followers of Judas of Galilee, who, some twenty years before this, taught that Jews should not pay tribute to the Romans, and of whom we learn, from Act 5:37, that he drew after him a multitude of followers, who on his being slain were all dispersed. About this time that party would be at its height, and if Pilate caused this detachment of them to be waylaid and put to death as they were offering their sacrifices at one of the festivals, that would be "mingling their blood with their sacrifices" [GROTIUS, WEBSTER and WILKINSON, but doubted by DE WETTE, MEYER, ALFORD, &c.]. News of this being brought to our Lord, to draw out His views of such, and whether it was not a judgment of Heaven, He simply points them to the practical view of the matter: "These men are not signal examples of divine vengeance, as ye suppose; but every impenitent sinner--ye yourselves, except ye repent--shall be like monuments of the judgment of Heaven, and in a more awful sense." The reference here to the impending destruction of Jerusalem is far from exhausting our Lord's weighty words; they manifestly point to a "perdition" of a more awful kind--future, personal, remediless.
Open source ↗There were present at that season,.... Among the innumerable multitude of people, Luk 12:1 that were then hearing the above discourses and sayings of Christ: some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. These Galileans were very likely some of the followers of Judas Gaulonitis, or Judas of Galilee; see Act 5:37 who endeavoured to draw off the Jews from the Roman government, and affirmed it was not lawful to give tribute to Caesar; at which Pilate being enraged, sent a band of soldiers, and slew these his followers; who were come up to the feast of the passover, as they were offering their sacrifices in the temple, and so mixed their blood with the blood of the passover lambs: this being lately done, some of the company spoke of it to Christ; very likely some of the Scribes and Pharisees, whom he had just now taxed as hypocrites; either to know his sense of Pilate's conduct, that should he condemn it as brutish and barbarous, they might accuse him to him; or should he approve of it, might traduce him, and bring him into contempt among the people; or to know his sentiments concerning the persons slain, whether or no they were not very wicked persons; and whether this was not a judgment upon them, to be put to death in such a manner, and at such a time and place, and which sense seems to be confirmed by Christ's answer. Josephus (z) relating a slaughter of the Samaritans by Pilate, which bears some likeness to this, has led some, though without any just reason, to conclude, that these were Samaritans, who are here called Galileans. This history is neither related nor hinted at, by any other writer but Luke. The phrase of mingling blood with blood, is Jewish; it is said of one Trogianus the wicked (perhaps the Emperor Trajan), t…
Open source ↗We have here, I. Tidings brought to Christ of the death of some Galileans lately, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices, Luk 13:1. Let us consider, 1. What this tragical story was. It is briefly related here, and is not met with in any of the historians of those times. Josephus indeed mentions Pilate's killing some Samaritans, who, under the conduct of a factious leader, were going in a tumultuous manner to mount Gerizim, where the Samaritans' temple was; but we can by no means allow that story to be the same with this. Some think that these Galileans were of the faction of Judas Gaulonita, called also Judas of Galilee (Act 5:37), who disowned Caesar's authority and refused to pay tribute to him: or perhaps these, being Galileans, were only suspected by Pilate to be of that faction, and barbarously murdered, because those who were in league with that pretender were out of his reach. The Galileans being Herod's subjects, it is probable that this outrage committed upon them by Pilate occasioned the quarrel that was between Herod and Pilate, which we read of in Luk 23:12. We are not told what number they were, perhaps but a few, whom Pilate had some particular pique against (and therefore the story is overlooked by Josephus); but the circumstance remarked is that he mingled their blood with their sacrifices in the court of the temple. Though perhaps they had reason to fear Pilate's malice, yet they would not, under pretence of that fear, keep away from Jerusalem, whither the law obliged them to go up with their sacrifices. Dr Lightfoot thinks it probable that they were themselves killing their sacrifices (which was allowed, for the priest's work, they said, began with the sprinkling of the blood), and that Pilate's officers came upon them by surprise, just a…
Open source ↗13:1-4 Jesus was responding to a popular claim that bad things only happen to bad people. Sin has negative consequences, but not every bad thing is a result of sin. Jesus then clarified that all people are sinners who need to repent (13:3, 5; see Job 4:7; 8:4, 20; 22:5; see also Pss 34:21; 75:10; Prov 3:33; 10:3, 6-7, 16, 24-25; John 9:2-3). 13:1 Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee: This particular incident is not known from other sources, but Pilate was a ruthless governor who, on several occasions, violently suppressed revolts (see Josephus, War 2.9.2-4; Antiquities 18.3.1-2).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πάρειμι (páreimi, G3918) — to be near, i.e. at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural)… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… καιρός (kairós, G2540) — an occasion, i.e. set or proper time τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἀπαγγέλλω (apangéllō, G518) — to announce περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… Γαλιλαῖος (Galilaîos, G1057) — Galilean or belonging to Galilea ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that αἷμα (haîma, G129) — blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially… Πιλᾶτος (Pilâtos, G4091) — close-pressed, i.e. firm; Pilatus, a Roman μίγνυμι (mígnymi, G3396) — to mix μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… δοκέω (dokéō, G1380) — compare the base of G1166 (δεικνύω)) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) Γαλιλαῖος (Galilaîos, G1057) — Galilean or belonging to Galilea γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἁμαρτωλός (hamartōlós, G268) — sinful, i.e. a sinner παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole πάσχω (páschō, G3958) — to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful)
Open source ↗λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you οὐχί (ouchí, G3780) — not indeed ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless μετανοέω (metanoéō, G3340) — to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction) ἀπόλλυμι (apóllymi, G622) — to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ὡσαύτως (hōsaútōs, G5615) — as thus, i.e. in the same way
Open source ↗ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than ἐκεῖνος (ekeînos, G1565) — that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed δέκα (déka, G1176) — ten καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ὀκτώ (oktṓ, G3638) — "eight" ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that πύργος (pýrgos, G4444) — a tower or castle ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Σιλωάμ (Silōám, G4611) — Siloam (i.e. Shiloach), a pool of Jerusalem πίπτω (píptō, G4098) — to fall (literally or figuratively) ἀποκτείνω (apokteínō, G615) — to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… δοκέω (dokéō, G1380) — compare the base of G1166 (δεικνύω)) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to…
Open source ↗λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you οὐχί (ouchí, G3780) — not indeed ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ἐὰν μή (eàn mḗ, G3362) — if not, i.e. unless μετανοέω (metanoéō, G3340) — to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction) ἀπόλλυμι (apóllymi, G622) — to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ὁμοίως (homoíōs, G3668) — similarly
Open source ↗λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ταύτῃ (taútēi, G5026) — (towards or of) this παραβολή (parabolḗ, G3850) — a similitude ("parable"), i.e. (symbolic) fictitious narrative (of common life conveying… τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… συκῆ (sykē, G4808) — a fig-tree φυτεύω (phyteúō, G5452) — to set out in the earth, i.e. implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀμπελών (ampelṓn, G290) — a vineyard καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) ζητέω (zētéō, G2212) — to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ἀμπελουργός (ampelourgós, G289) — a vine-worker, i.e. pruner ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; τρεῖς (treîs, G5140) — "three" ἔτος (étos, G2094) — a year ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) ζητέω (zētéō, G2212) — to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a… καρπός (karpós, G2590) — fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ταύτῃ (taútēi, G5026) — (towards or of) this συκῆ (sykē, G4808) — a fig-tree καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ἀφίημι (aphíēmi, G863) — an intensive form of , to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow) τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing ἔτος (étos, G2094) — a year καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἕως (héōs, G2193) — a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place) ὅτου (hótou, G3755) — during which same time, i.e. whilst σκάπτω (skáptō, G4626) — to dig περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… βάλλω (bállō, G906) — to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
Open source ↗κἄν (kán, G2579) — and (or even) if μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) καρπός (karpós, G2590) — fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively εἰ δὲ μή(γε) (ei dè mḗ(ge), G1490) — but if not εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… μέλλω (méllō, G3195) — to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially… ἐκκόπτω (ekkóptō, G1581) — to exscind; figuratively, to frustrate αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) διδάσκω (didáskō, G1321) — to teach (in the same broad application) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. μία (mía, G3391) — one or first συναγωγή (synagōgḗ, G4864) — an assemblage of persons; specially, a Jewish "synagogue" (the meeting or the place); by… σάββατον (sábbaton, G4521) — the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἰδού (idoú, G2400) — used as imperative lo!; ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… ἀσθένεια (asthéneia, G769) — feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty δέκα (déka, G1176) — ten ὀκτώ (oktṓ, G3638) — "eight" ἔτος (étos, G2094) — a year συγκύπτω (synkýptō, G4794) — to stoop altogether, i.e. be completely overcome by δύναμαι (dýnamai, G1410) — to be able or possible εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… προσφωνέω (prosphōnéō, G4377) — to sound towards, i.e. address, exclaim, summon καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἔπω (épō, G2036) — to speak or say (by word or writing) γυνή (gynḗ, G1135) — a woman; specially, a wife ἀπολύω (apolýō, G630) — to free fully, i.e. (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or… σοῦ (soû, G4675) — of thee, thy ἀσθένεια (asthéneia, G769) — feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐπιτίθημι (epitíthēmi, G2007) — to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense) χείρ (cheír, G5495) — the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… παραχρῆμα (parachrēma, G3916) — at the thing itself, i.e. instantly ἀνορθόω (anorthóō, G461) — to straighten up δοξάζω (doxázō, G1392) — to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application) θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἀρχισυνάγωγος (archisynágōgos, G752) — director of the synagogue services ἀποκρίνομαι (apokrínomai, G611) — to conclude for oneself, i.e. (by implication) to respond; by Hebraism (compare H06030)… ἀγανακτέω (aganaktéō, G23) — akin to the base of G43 (ἀγκάλη)); to be greatly afflicted, i.e. (figuratively) indignant ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites θεραπεύω (therapeúō, G2323) — to wait upon menially, i.e. (figuratively) to adore (God), or (specially) to relieve (of… σάββατον (sábbaton, G4521) — the Sabbath (i.e. Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ὄχλος (óchlos, G3793) — a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people;… εἰσί (eisí, G1526) — they are ἕξ (héx, G1803) — six ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Look, O LORD, and consider: Whom have You ever treated like this? Should women eat their offspring, the infants they have nurtured? Should priests and prophets be killed in the sanctuary of the Lord?
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.
They bound Him, led Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.