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Luke 13

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

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

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?

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

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.

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?

And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:

And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

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.

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

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

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.

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?

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?

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.

Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?

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.

And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?

It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

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:

Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

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.

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.

And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.

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.

Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

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!

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.

What does Luke 13:25 mean?

Explanation

Luke 13:25 presents a parable where Jesus likens the kingdom of heaven to a master who shuts the door after having risen.

The verse speaks to the urgency of responding to God's invitation, as there will be a time when it will be too late to enter into God's kingdom.

The 'master of the house' represents God or Jesus Himself, and the closed door symbolizes the finality of God's judgment.

Those standing outside knocking are individuals who have delayed their response to God's call and find themselves excluded.

The plea, "Lord, Lord, open unto us," indicates that they might have identified with Christ in name, but the chilling response, "I know you not whence ye are," underscores a lack of genuine relationship.

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Historical Context

The verse is part of a broader section in the Gospel of Luke where Jesus is teaching and traveling towards Jerusalem, where he will ultimately face His crucifixion. The historical context here involves Jews expecting the Messiah to establish an earthly kingdom.

However, Jesus teaches about the spiritual nature of God’s kingdom and the importance of individual repentance and readiness. The time of His teaching is before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., making His warnings particularly poignant as a call to spiritual preparation.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives interpret this verse differently.

The traditional Protestant view emphasizes the need for personal faith in Jesus Christ, interpreting the verse as a warning against nominal Christianity.

The Roman Catholic interpretation may place this passage in the context of the need for both faith and works, as the Church teaches that both are necessary for salvation.

Liberation theology might suggest this verse showcases the urgency of responding to social injustice as a requirement for entering the kingdom.

Practical Applications

This verse serves as a sober reminder of the importance of living with an awareness of the transient nature of life and the permanence of spiritual realities.

Practically, it encourages believers to prioritize their relationship with God and to be sincere in their commitment, rather than assuming that merely associational or superficial ties to faith will suffice.

It invites introspection and personal examination of one's faith and actions in the light of God's expectations.

Cross-References

Matthew 7:21-23: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 25:10-12: "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut."
Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

Language Study

The key phrase "I know you not whence ye are" uses the Greek "οἶδα ὑμᾶς πόθεν ἐστέ," with "οἶδα" (oida) meaning 'to know,' stressing not just intellectual knowledge but a relational knowing.

The word "πόθεν" (pothen) translates to "from where" or "whence," indicating origin or association.

Thus, the language underlines a lack of relational knowledge and recognition.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient Near Eastern culture, a closed door often symbolized a decision that could not be reversed, a motif mirrored in various cultural myths.

In religious comparisons, one might find parallels in the concept of judgment and the afterlife where one's fate is sealed, such as in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, where the deceased's heart is weighed to determine their destiny.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific inquiry generally does not directly engage with theological or scriptural verses.

However, the concept of making critical decisions before an opportunity expires can be understood through the psychology of decision-making, which examines how individuals often wrestle with procrastination or risk aversion.

This verse may resonate on a psychological level with the need for timely decision-making and the avoidance of future regret.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer a diverse range of thoughts on this passage.

Barclay points out the tragic nature of the closed door represents lost opportunities.

Other scholars highlight the requirement for a genuine relationship with Christ as seen in the phrase "I know you not." Matthew Henry underscores the sorrow of the exclusion, while John Wesley emphasizes the need for constant readiness and the danger of reliance on past achievements or external privileges.

Many agree that the central theme is the essential call to respond to God's offer of salvation earnestly and faithfully.

Luke 13

Luke 13

What does Luke 13:25 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 13:25 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?