Repent or Perish
Study note
When people report Pilate's slaughter of Galilean worshippers, Jesus rejects the idea that those victims were worse sinners than others. He cites another tragedy -- the tower of Siloam that killed eighteen -- and gives the same answer: unless you repent, you will all perish. Jesus redirects attention from speculating about others' guilt to examining one's own standing before God.
1 Right around that time, some people told Jesus about certain Galileans. Pilate had killed them while they were offering their sacrifices. There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
2 Jesus said, "Do you think those Galileans were bigger sinners than all other Galileans because this happened to them?" And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things?
3 "No, they were not. But let me warn you. Unless you turn from your sins, the same thing will happen to every one of you." I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 "Or think about those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam collapsed on them. Do you think they were guiltier than everyone else in Jerusalem?" 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 "No, they were not. But I am telling you again: unless you turn away from your sins, you will all face the same end." I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
Study note
A vineyard owner finds no fruit on a fig tree for three years and orders it cut down. The gardener pleads for one more year to dig around it and add fertilizer. If it bears fruit, good; if not, it can be removed. This parable illustrates God's patience in giving people time to repent, while also warning that patience has limits. The three years may symbolize the duration of Jesus' own ministry calling Israel to bear fruit.
6 Then he used this illustration: "A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. He went to pick some figs but could not find a single one." 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 "He told the gardener, 'I have been coming to this tree for three years now looking for figs, and there is never anything on it. Chop it down! Why should it take up good space in the soil?'" 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 "The gardener replied, 'Sir, give it just one more year. Let me work the soil around it and add some fertilizer.'" And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 "'If it finally produces fruit, wonderful! But if not, go ahead and cut it down.'" And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Healing on the Sabbath
Study note
In a synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus heals a woman crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. The synagogue ruler is indignant about healing on the Sabbath, but Jesus exposes his hypocrisy: they untie animals for water on the Sabbath, so should not this daughter of Abraham be freed from her bondage? His opponents are put to shame while the people rejoice at the wonderful things He does.
10 One Sabbath day, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue. And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 A woman was there who had been bent over by an evil spirit for eighteen years. She was completely hunched and could not stand up straight no matter how hard she tried. 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 When Jesus noticed her, he called her over and said, "Ma'am, you are freed from what has been crippling you." And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 He placed his hands on her, and instantly she straightened up and started praising God. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 But the synagogue leader was angry that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. He told the crowd, "There are six days for getting work done. Come get healed on one of those days, not on the Sabbath." 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 Jesus shot back, "What a hypocrite! Every one of you unties your ox or donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and takes it out to get water." 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 "This woman is a daughter of Abraham. Satan has held her prisoner for eighteen long years. Should she not be set free from her chains on the Sabbath?" 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 His critics were embarrassed by what he said. But all the ordinary people were full of joy at the amazing things he was doing. 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.
Parables of the Mustard Seed and Yeast
Study note
Jesus compares God's kingdom to a mustard seed that grows into a great tree and to yeast that works through an entire batch of dough. Both parables teach that the kingdom begins small and seemingly insignificant but grows to influence everything it touches. These images of organic, unstoppable growth would encourage Jesus' followers that God's kingdom would far exceed its humble beginnings.
18 Then Jesus asked, "What does God's kingdom look like? What can I compare it to?" Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
19 "It is like a tiny mustard seed that someone planted in their garden. It grew and grew until it became a big tree, and birds came and made their homes in its branches." 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 He asked again, "What else can I compare God's kingdom to?" And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21 "It is like a small bit of yeast that a woman stirred into a large batch of flour. Before long, the whole batch of dough puffed up." It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
The Narrow Gate and Lament Over Jerusalem
Study note
As Jesus journeys toward Jerusalem, He warns that the gate to salvation is narrow and many will try to enter but fail. Simply having been in Jesus' presence is not enough -- He will say 'I do not know you' to those who did not truly belong to Him. People will come from every direction to sit in God's kingdom while some who expected entry are cast out. The chapter ends with Jesus' heartfelt lament over Jerusalem, longing to gather her children as a hen gathers chicks, but mourning their refusal.
22 Jesus kept traveling toward Jerusalem. He taught in every town and village along the way. And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 Someone asked him, "Lord, is it true that only a small number of people will be saved?" He answered, Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 "Do everything in your power to get through the narrow doorway. I am telling you, many people will try to squeeze through and will not make it." 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 "Once the owner of the house stands up and locks the door, you will be stuck outside knocking and begging, 'Lord, Lord, let us in!' But he will answer, 'I have no idea who you are.'" 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 you will argue, 'But we sat and ate with you! You taught right in our own streets!'" Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 "And he will say, 'I am telling you, I do not know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all of you who do wrong.'" But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
28 "That is when the crying and grinding of teeth will start. You will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets inside God's kingdom. But you will be locked out." 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 "People will pour in from the east and west, from the north and south, and take their seats at the table in God's kingdom." 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 get this: some people who seem to be last in line will end up first, and some who seem to be first will end up last." And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
31 Then, some Pharisees came up to Jesus and warned him, "You need to get out of here. Herod is trying to kill you." The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
32 Jesus replied, "Go give this message to that fox: 'Today and tomorrow I am casting out demons and healing people. And on the third day I will finish my work.'" 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 "But I have to keep moving today, tomorrow, and the next day. It would be unheard of for a prophet to be killed anywhere except Jerusalem." 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 -- the city that murders prophets and throws stones at the messengers God sends! Over and over I wanted to gather your people close, the way a hen tucks her baby chicks safely under her wings. But you would not let me!" 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 "Now your house will be left empty and abandoned. And I am telling you, you will not see me again until the day you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'" 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.