The Gospels · Chapter 13 of 24

Luke 13

Jesus turns news of tragedy into a call to repent, warning that all perish without it, and tells of a barren fig tree given one more year. He frees a woman bound eighteen years on the sabbath, likens the kingdom to a mustard seed and leaven, urges striving through the narrow gate, and weeps over Jerusalem's refusal to be gathered.

What happens in Luke 13

Told of Galileans killed by Pilate and eighteen crushed by a falling tower, Jesus rejects the assumption that they were worse sinners and twice warns that all must repent or likewise perish. He tells of a fig tree that bore no fruit for three years, spared one more year of digging and care before being cut down. In a synagogue he heals a woman bent double for eighteen years, calling her a daughter of Abraham loosed from Satan's bond, and rebukes the indignant ruler for valuing an ox's watering over her freedom.

He compares the kingdom to a mustard seed that becomes a tree and leaven that spreads through meal. Journeying toward Jerusalem, he warns that many will strive to enter the narrow gate too late. When told Herod wants to kill him, he presses on, then laments over Jerusalem, longing to gather her children as a hen gathers her brood, but she would not.

Luke 13 in context

Luke continues Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, weaving urgent calls to repentance with pictures of the kingdom's quiet growth and grief over a nation that resists him. The sabbath healing renews the running conflict with the religious leaders over mercy versus rules.

The narrow gate and the lament over Jerusalem sharpen the note of decision and coming judgment, while the barren fig tree holds together warning and patience, showing a God who gives time even as he seeks fruit.

Main themes of Luke 13

Luke 13 (KJV)

1There 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? 3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4Or 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? 5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 6He 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. 7Then 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? 8And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 9And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. 10And 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? 16And 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. 18Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 19It 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? 21It 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. 23Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25When 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: 26Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28There 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. 29And 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. 30And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last. 31The 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. 33Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. 34O 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! 35Behold, 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.

Verses to carry from Luke 13

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”Luke 13:3

“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?”Luke 13:16

“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!”Luke 13:34

Reflection

It is easier to analyze other people's tragedies than to hear the call in them for ourselves. Jesus turns our gaze inward: repent, bear fruit, come under his wings while the door is open. The barren tree was given more time, and so have you. Do not mistake God's patience for permission to delay coming home to him.

A prayer from Luke 13