Luke 13:1-35 King James Bible KJV

Call to Repentance, Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, Parable of the Mustard Seed, The Narrow Door, Healing a Woman on the Sabbath

Luke Chapter 13:1-35. Luke Chapter 13 contains several important teachings and parables from Jesus that focus on repentance, the patience and judgment of God, the nature of the Kingdom of God, and the need to enter God’s Kingdom with sincere faith and transformed lives.

• Repentance and Judgment: Jesus consistently calls for repentance, emphasizing that time is limited, and judgment will come for those who do not turn back to God.
• Fruitfulness: The importance of living a life that reflects genuine faith and repentance is illustrated through the parable of the fig tree.
• Compassion and Legalism: Jesus challenges religious leaders who prioritize rules over mercy, particularly in His healing on the Sabbath.
• The Kingdom of God: Jesus’ parables describe the Kingdom as something that starts small but grows significantly, affecting everything around it.
• Salvation’s Urgency: Entering the Kingdom of God requires personal decision and effort, as not everyone who assumes they are part of it will be accepted.

Luke 13:1-35 King James Bible KJV
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Call to Repentance – verses 1-5
In this section, some people tell Jesus about Galileans who were killed by Pilate, possibly suggesting that they suffered because they were worse sinners. Jesus responds by asking whether these Galileans or others who died in tragic accidents were more sinful than anyone else. He answers his own question by saying, “No, but unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Jesus stresses that all people must repent of their sins, and that tragedies are not necessarily a sign of particular guilt.

Jesus emphasizes that everyone needs to turn back to God, regardless of their specific circumstances, because life is unpredictable, and judgment will come for all.

Parable of the Barren Fig Tree – verses 6-9
Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree that had not produced fruit for three years. The owner of the vineyard wants to cut it down, but the gardener asks for more time to care for it, hoping that it will bear fruit the following year. If it still doesn’t, the tree will be cut down.

Patience and Judgment: The fig tree represents people who have not yet repented and borne spiritual fruit. God is patient, giving time for repentance, but judgment will eventually come if there is no change.
Fruitfulness: Bearing fruit – living a life that reflects repentance and faith—is essential.

Jesus Heals a Crippled Woman on the Sabbath – verses 10-17
While teaching in a synagogue, Jesus heals a woman who had been crippled for eighteen years. The synagogue leader criticizes Him for performing the healing on the Sabbath. Jesus rebukes the leader, pointing out that people regularly untie their animals on the Sabbath to give them water, so why shouldn’t a woman be freed from suffering?

Compassion vs. Legalism: Jesus challenges the rigid legalism that prioritizes rules over human needs, demonstrating that compassion is in line with God’s will.
Sabbath and Healing: This incident underscores that the Sabbath is a day for doing good and that God’s mercy is not constrained by human traditions.

Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast – verses 18-21
Jesus uses two short parables to describe the Kingdom of God. In the first, He compares it to a mustard seed, which is tiny but grows into a large tree. In the second, He compares it to yeast that spreads through dough until the whole batch is leavened.

The Kingdom’s Growth: These parables illustrate that the Kingdom of God may start small and seem insignificant, but it will grow and have a profound impact.
Transformation: The yeast metaphor emphasizes the transforming and expansive nature of the Kingdom of God, working its way through the world and people’s lives.

The Narrow Door – verses 22-30
As Jesus continues teaching, someone asks, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” Jesus responds by urging people to “make every effort to enter through the narrow door,” because many will try to enter and will not be able to. He warns that some who think they will be accepted into the Kingdom may find themselves shut out, and people from all nations will take their places.

Urgency of Salvation: Jesus stresses that entering the Kingdom of God is not automatic, and it requires deliberate effort, repentance, and faith.
Exclusivity and Inclusivity: The “narrow door” indicates that salvation is exclusive to those who follow Jesus, but people from all over the world, not just Israel, will be part of God’s Kingdom.
Reversal of Expectations: Many who consider themselves righteous may find themselves outside the Kingdom, while those considered outsiders will be included.

Jesus’ Sorrow Over Jerusalem – verses 31-35
Some Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod wants to kill Him. Jesus responds that He must continue His mission, even though it will lead to His death. He laments over Jerusalem, expressing sorrow that the city has rejected God’s messengers and will eventually face destruction. He expresses a longing to gather the people of Jerusalem, but they were unwilling.

Jesus’ Determination: Jesus is unwavering in His mission, knowing that He must suffer and die in Jerusalem.
God’s Heart for Jerusalem: Jesus mourns the people’s rejection of Him and His message, highlighting God’s deep desire to save, even when people turn away.
Judgment on Jerusalem: Jesus predicts the coming judgment on the city, which will face destruction because of its rejection of God’s offer of salvation.

Luke 13:1-35 King James Bible KJV

1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had
mingled with their sacrifices.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things?
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
4 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?
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

6 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.
7 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?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.

10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
11 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.
12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 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.
15 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?
16 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?
17 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.

18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it?
19 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.
20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

22 And he went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.
23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
25 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:
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all 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, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 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.
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
32 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.
33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.
34 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!
35 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.