Luke 13

1 From the message that Pilate had mingled the blood of certain Galileans with their sacrifices and from the example of the eighteen of whom the tower in Siloam fell Christ takes occasion to exhort the multitude to repentance 6 and to that end also propounds the similitude of the barren fig-tree 10 healeth on the Sabbath a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years 14 and justifies the same against a ruler of the synagogue 18 compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed and leaven 23 being asked whether few shall be saved he exhorts to enter in by the straight gate 31 answers the Pharisees who gave him warning of Herod 34 complains the cruelty and the stiffneckedness of those of Jerusalem and foretells their ruine .

1. And there were at the same time present which unto him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices [Josephus indeed Antiq lib 18 chapter 5 relates something like this but the circumstance both of the time and otherwise shew that it is not of the same history some ancient teachers think that this should have happened within Jerusalem and some Galileans would have hindred some sacrifices to be offered in the temple for the Emperor of Rome.]

2. And Jesus answered them and said unto them think ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans because they suffered this?

3. I tell ye nay but if ye repent not ye shall all perish likewise [that is be destroyed by God righteous judgment as also afterwards came to pass by the Romans.]

4. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell [that is which was built on or over the fountain or brook of Siloa of which brook see Isaiah 8:6 John 9:7] and killed them think ye that these were debtors [that is sinners which had more debt or sins see Matthew 6:12 and 18.24] above all man that dwell in Jerusalem

5. I say unto ye nay but if ye repent not ye shall all perish like manner.

6. And he spake this similitude a certain man a fig-tree planted in his vineyard and he came sought fruit therein and he found it not

7. And he said unto the keeper of the vineyard behold I come three years seeking fruit on this fig tree and find it not cut it down to what purpose doth it also take up to the earth unprofitable [Gr make the earth unprofitable or barren in which somewhat else might be planted that should bring forth fruit]

8. And he answering said unto him Lord suffer it yet this year also until I shall dig about it and laid dung

9. And if it shall bring forth fruit let it stand but if not thou shalt afterwards cut it down

10. And he taught on the Sabbath [Gr Sabbath days] in one of the synagogues

11. And behold there was a woman which had had the spirit of infirmity [that is an evil spirit which made her infirm see verse 16] eighteen years and she was bewed together [Gr bended together] and could not at all lift up her self

12. And Jesus seeing her and called her and said unto her woman thou shalt be released [Gr loosed or unbound] from thine infirmity

13. And he laid hands on her immediately she was straight again [Gr made straight] and glorified God

14. And the ruler of the synagogue [that is one of the rulers for every synagogue had more than one ruler see Mark 5:2 Acts 13:15] taking it ill that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath answered and said unto the multitude there are six days in which man must work [that is it is allowed and commanded to work] come therefore in them and be healed and not on the day of the Sabbath

15. The Lord then answered him and said thou hypocrisy doth not every one of ye on the Sabbath unloose his oxen or ass from the manager and lead him away to make him drink?

16. And this woman which is a daughter of Abraham [that is descended from the stock of Abraham and belonging to the covenant of God that made with Abraham and his posterity see Luke 19:9] who Satan had bound [that is who had distressed her with infirmities as with hands] loe now eighteen years must not she be loosed from his hand on the Sabbath day

17. And as he said this they were all ashamed which set them selves against him and all the multitude rejoiced for all glorious things which were done by him.

18. And he said to what is this kingdom of God like? [That is preaching of the gospel whereby the kingdom of God is set up] and whereunto shall I resemble it?

19. It is like a mustard seed [see of these similitudes Matthew 13:31] which a man took and cast into his garden and it grew up and came into a great tree and the fowles of the heaven nestled in its branches

20. And he said again whereunto I shall liken the kingdom of God

21. It is like a leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal s until the whole was sowered

22. And he traveled from city and village from the other teaching and directing [Gr making] his journey towards Jerusalem

23. And one said unto him Lord are there but few that are saved / and said unto them

24. Strive [that is use diligence and labour Ephesians 6:11 &c Philippians 3:12,13 .2 Timothy 4:7 &c] to enter in through the straight gate [namely which leadeth unto life Matthew 7:14] for many I say unto ye shall seek to enter in and shall not be able [namely because it shall be too as appears by what follows]

25. Namely after that the Lord of the house shall be risen up [this similitude is taken from the keeping of the weddings in those times whereof may be seen at large Matthew 25:1 &c.] and shall have shut the door and ye shall begin to stand and to knock at the door saying Lord, Lord open to us and he shall answer and say unto ye I know ye not whence ye are

26. Then shall ye begin to say we have eaten and drunk in thine presence and hast taught in our streets

27. And he shall say I know ye not whence ye are depart from me ye workers of iniquity

28. 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 [namely of glory of heaven] but yourselves cast forth without

29. And there shall come from the east and west and south and north and shall sit down in the kingdom of God

30. And behold they are last[ by the last are understood the gentiles which were yet strangers from the covenant of God and by the first the Jews and thereby we are given to understand that the gentiles shall be the first and the first shall be the last

31. The same day there came certain Pharisees saying unto him get thee away [that is out of Galilee where Herod was tetrarch Luke 3:1 and 23.7] and depart hence for Herod will kill thee [this warning was given by them not out of love to Christ but because they would gladly be rid of him see the like warning Nehem 6 verse 10.11 Amos 7:13]

32. And he said unto them go your way and tell that fox [so he calls him by reason to subtitle an craftiness]behold I cast out devils and make whole [Gr perfect cures]today and tomorrow [that is yet a little while see Hosea 6:2]and the third day [that is after the accomplishment of the ministry in this short time]I am consummate [or am perfected or consecrated or offered up Job 17:4 and 19.30 see more largely of signification of this word Hebrews 2:10 and 5.9]

33. Nevertheless I must travel today and tomorrow and the day following [that is I must yet little while walk here and there to execute mine office further and afterwards I will go to Jerusalem and there to be put to death by you yourself]for it happens not [that is hardly or very seldom] that a prophet be put to death out of Jerusalem

34. Jerusalem , Jerusalem [see the exposition hereof Matthew 23:37]thou that killest the prophet and stonest them that are sent unto thee how many times would I have gathered thy children together like as a hen gathereth her chickens [Gr brood or nest chicken]under the wings and ye would not

35. Behold your house [that is the temple and city] is left unto your waste and verily I say unto ye that ye shall not see me until the time the time shall become when ye shall say blessed is he which cometh in the name of the Lord [this was shortly after fulfilled in some assort see Luke 19:38 and shall perfectly be accomplished at the last day]