13:1 At that same time, some who were present brought word to him about Galileans whose blood was spilled as they were making their offerings.1
13:2 Then Jesus told them, “Do you think these Galileans were more sinful than any other Galileans because they suffered this thing?
13:3 I say no – but unless you have a change of heart you will all likewise perish.
13:4 Or the eighteen people upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed: Do you think they were worse offenders than any other people who live in Jerusalem?
13:5 I say no – but unless you have a change of heart you will all likewise perish.
13:6 Then he told this analogy: “A man had a fig tree that had been planted in his vineyard and he went looking for fruit on it and didn’t find any.
13:7 So he asked the vineyard manager: ‘Look, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Chop it down. Why does it even use our soil?’
13:8 Then he replied, saying, ‘Leave it alone sir – just for this year – until I can dig around it and put in fertilizer.
13:9 If it bears fruit next year, okay. But if not, we’ll cut it down.’”
13:10 Once he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.
13:11 There was a woman who had a sickness for eighteen years – caused by a spirit. She was bent over and couldn’t straighten up at all.
13:12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Madam, you are freed from your sickness.”
13:13 Then he laid his hands on her and immediately she became erect and began glorifying God.
13:14 Yet the synagogue elder, who was indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, started saying to the people, “There are six days – during which work should be done. So come then and get healed – and not on the Sabbath day.”
13:15 So the Master replied, “Hypocrites – don’t each of you untie your ox or donkey from the stall on the Sabbath and lead it off to water?
13:16 Then shouldn’t this woman, a follower of Abraham – whom the Adversary had bound for eighteen long years – should she not have been released from her shackles on the Sabbath day?”
13:17 As he spoke this, all of his adversaries were humiliated. The whole crowd rejoiced over the glorious things he was doing.
13:18 Then he said: “What is the sanctuary of God like – to what should I compare it?
13:19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man received and tossed into his garden and it grew and became a tree. And the birds of the sky nested in its branches.”
13:20 Then again he said, “To what should I compare the sanctuary of God?
13:21 It is like yeast, which a woman received and mixed with three measures of flour until it was all leavened.”
13:22 He traveled from one village or town to another teaching – as he made his way towards Jerusalem.
13:23 Someone asked him, “Teacher, will just a few be saved?” He replied:
13:24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door – because I tell you, many seek entrance and will not be able.
13:25 When the Head of the house gets up and shuts the door and you have to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Sir, open up to us,’ then He will reply and tell you, ‘I don’t know where you are from.’
13:26 Then you’ll say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught us extensively.’
13:27 Then He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you are from. Get away from Me – all you workers of unrighteousness!’
13:28 In that place there will be weeping and suffering. Then you’ll know Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and every prophet, are within God’s sanctuary – yourselves having been thrown out.”
13:29 Then they will come from the East, West, North and South to sit at the table of the sanctuary of God.
13:30 Look, those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last.”
13:31 At that time some pharisees approached and told him, “Go away – leave this place because Herod wants to kill you.
13:32 Then he told them, “Go tell that fox, ‘Now look, he is casting out demons and performed healings today and tomorrow’ – and on the third day I will have reached my quota.
13:33 Anyway, I must travel today, tomorrow and the next day; because certainly no prophet could die outside of Jerusalem.
13:34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem – who kills the Prophets and stones those sent to you! Often have I wanted to gather your children together just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings – yet you wouldn’t have it.
13:35 Now look, your house has left you desolate. I tell you, you won’t see me until the time arrives – when you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the LORD.’”
Footnote:
1. Verse 13:1. The Greek word θυσία (thysia) means, according to the lexicon, “a free gift, which is likened to an offered sacrifice.” This verse is discussing the process of making offerings to the Supreme Being.
13:2 Then Jesus told them, “Do you think these Galileans were more sinful than any other Galileans because they suffered this thing?
13:3 I say no – but unless you have a change of heart you will all likewise perish.
13:4 Or the eighteen people upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed: Do you think they were worse offenders than any other people who live in Jerusalem?
13:5 I say no – but unless you have a change of heart you will all likewise perish.
13:6 Then he told this analogy: “A man had a fig tree that had been planted in his vineyard and he went looking for fruit on it and didn’t find any.
13:7 So he asked the vineyard manager: ‘Look, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Chop it down. Why does it even use our soil?’
13:8 Then he replied, saying, ‘Leave it alone sir – just for this year – until I can dig around it and put in fertilizer.
13:9 If it bears fruit next year, okay. But if not, we’ll cut it down.’”
13:10 Once he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.
13:11 There was a woman who had a sickness for eighteen years – caused by a spirit. She was bent over and couldn’t straighten up at all.
13:12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Madam, you are freed from your sickness.”
13:13 Then he laid his hands on her and immediately she became erect and began glorifying God.
13:14 Yet the synagogue elder, who was indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, started saying to the people, “There are six days – during which work should be done. So come then and get healed – and not on the Sabbath day.”
13:15 So the Master replied, “Hypocrites – don’t each of you untie your ox or donkey from the stall on the Sabbath and lead it off to water?
13:16 Then shouldn’t this woman, a follower of Abraham – whom the Adversary had bound for eighteen long years – should she not have been released from her shackles on the Sabbath day?”
13:17 As he spoke this, all of his adversaries were humiliated. The whole crowd rejoiced over the glorious things he was doing.
13:18 Then he said: “What is the sanctuary of God like – to what should I compare it?
13:19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man received and tossed into his garden and it grew and became a tree. And the birds of the sky nested in its branches.”
13:20 Then again he said, “To what should I compare the sanctuary of God?
13:21 It is like yeast, which a woman received and mixed with three measures of flour until it was all leavened.”
13:22 He traveled from one village or town to another teaching – as he made his way towards Jerusalem.
13:23 Someone asked him, “Teacher, will just a few be saved?” He replied:
13:24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door – because I tell you, many seek entrance and will not be able.
13:25 When the Head of the house gets up and shuts the door and you have to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Sir, open up to us,’ then He will reply and tell you, ‘I don’t know where you are from.’
13:26 Then you’ll say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught us extensively.’
13:27 Then He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you are from. Get away from Me – all you workers of unrighteousness!’
13:28 In that place there will be weeping and suffering. Then you’ll know Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and every prophet, are within God’s sanctuary – yourselves having been thrown out.”
13:29 Then they will come from the East, West, North and South to sit at the table of the sanctuary of God.
13:30 Look, those who are last will be first and those who are first will be last.”
13:31 At that time some pharisees approached and told him, “Go away – leave this place because Herod wants to kill you.
13:32 Then he told them, “Go tell that fox, ‘Now look, he is casting out demons and performed healings today and tomorrow’ – and on the third day I will have reached my quota.
13:33 Anyway, I must travel today, tomorrow and the next day; because certainly no prophet could die outside of Jerusalem.
13:34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem – who kills the Prophets and stones those sent to you! Often have I wanted to gather your children together just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings – yet you wouldn’t have it.
13:35 Now look, your house has left you desolate. I tell you, you won’t see me until the time arrives – when you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the LORD.’”
Footnote:
1. Verse 13:1. The Greek word θυσία (thysia) means, according to the lexicon, “a free gift, which is likened to an offered sacrifice.” This verse is discussing the process of making offerings to the Supreme Being.
