PrevLuke 13:32Next

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 13:32 mean?

Explanation

Luke 13:32 portrays an exchange between Jesus and some Pharisees who came to warn Him that Herod Antipas wanted to kill Him.

Jesus refers to Herod as "that fox," using a metaphor that likely suggests slyness, cunning, or destructiveness.

In His response, Jesus indicates that He is not deterred by Herod's threats.

He conveys that He will continue His ministry, casting out demons and healing people, for a designated period ("today and tomorrow").

The mention of "the third day" is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of Jesus' resurrection when He says He "shall be perfected," meaning His mission will be completed in His death and resurrection, fulfilling His divine purpose.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

At the time of Luke writing, Herod Antipas ruled as the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea.

He is known for his role in the execution of John the Baptist and his encounter with Jesus before the crucifixion.

The Pharisees' warning may have been genuine concern for Jesus or an attempt to intimidate Him into leaving the area.

During this period, it was not uncommon for prophets and healers to travel and attract attention, sometimes desirable, sometimes not, from political authorities.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse is rich with insights. Firstly, Jesus' reference to "the third day" alludes to the prophecy of His resurrection, emphasizing that His ministry and life on Earth have a determined course that cannot be thwarted by human rulers.

Additionally, the use of "shall be perfected" points towards the notion of Jesus' mission being completed through His death and resurrection, which is central in Christian soteriology (the doctrine of salvation).

Jesus’ confidence in this verse is also seen as a testament to His divine foreknowledge and authority.

Practical Applications

Practically speaking, this verse provides several applications.

Followers of Jesus might interpret this passage as a call to persist in their mission or purpose despite opposition and threats.

Just as Jesus was focused on His divine purpose regardless of the danger, individuals are encouraged to trust in their journey and its timing.

Furthermore, referring to Herod as "that fox" might remind believers to be wary of cunning or fraudulent influences in their own lives.

Cross-References

Matthew 17:23: "And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again.

And they were exceeding sorry."

Luke 9:22: "Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day."
Luke 18:32-33: "For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again."

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of this verse include:

"ἀλώπεκι" (alópeki), translated as "fox," carries connotations of craftiness.
"τελειοῦμαι" (teleioumai), translated as "shall be perfected" or "completed," derives from "τέλειος" (teleios) meaning perfect, complete, or fully mature.

It suggests reaching an intended goal or fulfilling a purpose.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In cultural and religious comparison, the metaphor of a "fox" might be seen in other traditions as well.

In Aesop's fables, for example, the fox is often a cunning trickster.

In the context of Jesus' teachings, referring to Herod as a fox could imply a devious or untrustworthy nature, which would have been understood in both Jewish and broader Mediterranean cultures.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives on this verse would not inherently align with the metaphysical aspects, such as casting out demons or predicting one's resurrection.

Science tends to focus on empirical evidence and may offer psychological or neurological explanations for phenomena described as demonic possessions in ancient texts.

Additionally, medical science now understands many conditions that may have been viewed as ailments requiring miraculous healing in antiquity.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on this passage.

Some perceive Jesus' words as a rebuke of Herod's attempts to manipulate or scare Him.

Others see a deeper connection with Jesus' understanding of His mission as inseparable from His sufferings and eventual resurrection.

Commentaries often highlight the prophetic nature of Jesus' statement and His use of "today and tomorrow" as more than a literal timeline, but as signifying a deliberate phase in His redemptive work.

Finally, experts point out that Luke's consistent theme of Jesus on a journey to Jerusalem culminates in His ultimate sacrifice, aligning with the message of this verse.

Luke 13

Luke 13

What does Luke 13:32 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 13:32 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?