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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 13:20 mean?

Explanation

The verse Luke 13:20, "And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?" represents Jesus Christ's search for an appropriate simile to explain the nature of the Kingdom of God to His listeners.

In the context of the Gospels, Christ often uses parables and similes as pedagogical tools to impart spiritual truths in a way that is relatable and understandable to the common people of His day.

He likens the Kingdom of God to things familiar to His audience, employing everyday images to convey profound divine realities.

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Historical Context

Luke 13:20 falls within one of Jesus' teaching sessions, where He imparts wisdom using parables. Written by Luke the Evangelist, this Gospel's audience is primarily Gentile Christians, and it emphasizes the universal mission of Jesus.

The verse is part of a larger section in which Jesus is responding to questions about salvation and explaining through parables and direct teaching.

During that time, the Jewish people had their own expectations of what the Kingdom of God should be – mainly a political and earthly dominion.

Jesus challenges these expectations by portraying a spiritual Kingdom that grows and operates on heavenly principles.

Theological Insights

Theologically, Luke 13:20 might be viewed from several perspectives: 1.

Divine Mystery: The Kingdom of God is a divine mystery that cannot easily be described or understood through human reason alone, and Jesus uses human concepts to hint at its nature. 2.

Growth and Transformation: The similes used to describe the Kingdom often have growth and transformation as central themes, which some scholars interpret as indicating the dynamic and ever-unfolding nature of God's Kingdom. 3.

Inclusivity: Luke's version of the Kingdom parables often emphasizes the inclusivity of the Kingdom of God.

It is open and available to all who choose to enter, breaking away from the exclusivist views of some religious leaders of the time.

Practical Applications

Humility: We should approach the teachings about the Kingdom of God with humility, understanding that they often transcend our immediate comprehension. 2.

Spiritual perception: Encourages readers to seek spiritual wisdom and insight in order to discern the Kingdom of God in their lives. 3.

Personal Growth: The principle of growth, embedded in the image of the Kingdom, can inspire individuals to focus on their personal spiritual growth and development.

Cross-References

Matthew 13:31-32: "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:"
Mark 4:30-32: "And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?"
Luke 17:20-21: "And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:"

Language Study

The phrase "Whereunto shall I liken" uses the Greek verb "homoioō," which means "to make like" or "to resemble." This indicates Jesus' intent to find a likeness or metaphor that would adequately represent the Kingdom of God.

The word "kingdom" (Greek: "basileia") often signifies sovereignty, royal power, dominion, and also a realm or territory.

The term is rich in meaning and can convey both a present reality and a future hope.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The Kingdom of God is a concept that can be contrasted with other ancient religious and cultural concepts of a divine realm or a utopian society.

In some ancient mythologies, gods were believed to rule over physical territories or domains.

The Kingdom of God as described by Jesus, however, is distinct in its focus on a spiritual realm and its accessibility to all people, rather than being exclusive to a particular national, cultural, or mythological context.

Scientific Perspectives

The concept of the Kingdom of God doesn't directly intersect with scientific understanding in the way that discussions of the natural world do.

However, the parabolic comparisons Jesus uses, like seeds and growth, can be related to biological principles of development and maturation, symbolizing the non-linear and organic growth of spiritual life and understanding.

Commentaries

Various Biblical scholars and theologians have provided interpretations of Luke 13:20.

For example:

John Calvin views this as a demonstration of Christ's teaching method, using familiar terms to explain divine mysteries.
Matthew Henry emphasizes that the Kingdom of God, while appearing small and insignificant like a grain of mustard seed, grows to become great and inclusive.
William Barclay suggests that Jesus was showing that from the smallest beginnings, the Kingdom is destined to grow immensely, which is a cause for hope and encouragement for believers.

Luke 13

Luke 13

What does Luke 13:20 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 13:20 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?