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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 13:35 mean?

Explanation

Luke 13:35 is part of a lamentation by Jesus over Jerusalem. He prophesies the desolation of the city because it did not recognize the time of its visitation by God.

The verse expresses sorrow and judgment, as Jesus declares that the temple, referred to as "your house," will be abandoned, or left "desolate." Jesus implies that the people of Jerusalem won't see Him again until they acknowledge Him as the one sent by God with the phrase "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord," which is an acclamation of the Messiah.

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Historical Context

The verse is set during Jesus' ministry, likely around 30-33 AD, as He was heading toward Jerusalem before His crucifixion.

The cultural and historical context is the Jewish expectation of a Messiah and the Roman occupation of Judea. The lament over Jerusalem could be seen as foreshadowing the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple by the Roman Empire in 70 AD.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, the verse is seen as an affirmation of Jesus as the awaited Messiah. The desolation mentioned is not just physical but also spiritual, and the anticipation of people eventually calling Him "blessed" suggests a future reconciliation.

Some theologians interpret the verse as an allusion to the Second Coming of Christ. In Jewish thought, the verse could be understood as part of ongoing Jewish history and the hope for redemption.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse invite reflection on recognizing divine messages and opportunities for repentance.

It encourages individuals to be open to spiritual truths and to welcome divine guidance in their lives.

It also warns against taking for granted or rejecting prophets or divine emissaries, as it might lead to spiritual desolation.

Cross-References

Matthew 23:38: "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate."
Psalm 118:26: "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord."
Matthew 21:9: "And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."

Language Study

"Desolate" (Greek: ἔρημος, erēmos): This word can mean "abandoned" or "laid waste." In this context, it refers to both the foreseen absence of God's presence and the physical destruction of the temple.
"Blessed" (Greek: εὐλογητός, eulogētos): This term conveys the idea of being spoken well of, praised, or approved by God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the context of other ancient myths and religious interpretations, the theme of a god or gods abandoning a temple or city due to the inhabitants' moral failure is common.

This motif can be found in various cultures where the deity withdraws favor or protection as a consequence of human actions.

Scientific Perspectives

While the primary content of the verse is spiritual and prophetic, it indirectly touches upon human behavior and societal collapse, which can be studied through sociological and psychological lenses.

However, there isn't a direct intersection with physical sciences in the analysis of this verse.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians interpret Luke 13:35 through different lenses.

Some see it as a direct prophecy of the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, while others see a dual fulfillment, with an initial reference to the temple's fall and a future fulfillment in eschatological terms.

Commentators like John Calvin have focused on the sorrowful tone Jesus takes when speaking of Jerusalem, emphasizing His love and long-suffering towards the city despite its rejection of Him.

Luke 13

Luke 13

What does Luke 13:35 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 13:35 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?