What does Jesus mean by “except you repent, you shall all likewise perish”?

When people told Jesus about the Galileans Pilate killed and the eighteen crushed by the tower in Siloam, many assumed those victims were worse sinners. Jesus said they were not worse than others. Twice he warns, “Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.” He is saying that tragedy is not proof someone is a bigger sinner, but it does remind everyone that judgment is real. Unless people turn from sin to God, there will be a far more serious perishing, beyond just physical death.

What is the meaning of the parable of the barren fig tree in the vineyard?

In the parable, a man has a fig tree planted in his vineyard. For three years he looks for fruit and finds none, so he tells the gardener to cut it down because it only uses up the soil. The gardener asks for one more year to dig around it and fertilize it. This picture shows God’s right to expect real fruit from those he has placed in a privileged position, and also his patience. Time is given for repentance and growth, but if there is still no fruit, judgment will come.

Why did Jesus heal the bent woman on the sabbath and call out the synagogue ruler?

Jesus saw a woman who had been bent over for eighteen years and could not straighten herself. He said, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity,” laid his hands on her, and she was made straight and praised God. When the synagogue ruler complained that healing on the sabbath was wrong, Jesus called him a hypocrite, pointing out that they would untie an ox or donkey and lead it to water on the sabbath. If they cared that much for animals, how much more should this “daughter of Abraham,” whom Satan had bound, be set free on that day?

What do the mustard seed and leaven teach about the kingdom of God?

Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a tiny mustard seed that grows into a large tree where birds can rest, and to leaven that a woman hides in a large amount of flour until all of it is leavened. These short pictures show that God’s rule often starts very small and unnoticed, but it keeps growing until it has a wide, visible effect. From a small beginning in a few people, God’s work spreads and changes many lives, even when it is working quietly in the background.

What does it mean to strive to enter in at the strait gate?

When someone asks if only a few will be saved, Jesus does not give numbers. Instead he says, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate,” and warns that many will try to enter and not be able. He is teaching that salvation is not about casual interest or just being near religious things. The narrow door points to a real, personal response to him that may go against the crowd. It calls for earnest seeking, repentance, and faith now, before the door is shut and the chance is gone.

Why are some people shut out even though they ate and drank with Jesus?

Jesus pictures a time when the master of the house shuts the door. People outside knock and say, “We have eaten and drunk in your presence, and you taught in our streets.” But he replies that he does not know where they come from and calls them workers of iniquity. This shows that being around Jesus’ teaching, or being part of a religious crowd, is not enough. What matters is a real relationship shown in a changed life. Those who refuse to turn from sin will find themselves outside, even if they once felt close to holy things.

What does Jesus mean by people coming from east and west to sit in the kingdom of God?

After warning that some who thought they were first will be shut out, Jesus says many will come from east, west, north, and south and sit down in the kingdom of God. He is pointing to people coming from all over the world to share in God’s salvation, while some of those who had the first privileges reject it. Those who were “last” in earthly status or religious privilege may be received, and those who were “first” may be left out if they refuse to repent and believe.

Why does Jesus call Herod a fox and still keep going toward Jerusalem?

Some Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod wants to kill him and urge him to leave. Jesus replies, “Go and tell that fox,” and says he will keep casting out demons and healing today and tomorrow, and on the third day he will be perfected. He also says a prophet cannot perish outside Jerusalem. Calling Herod a fox shows Herod’s crafty and destructive character. Yet Jesus is not driven by Herod’s threats. He stays fixed on finishing the work given to him, even though he knows rejection and death wait in Jerusalem.

What does Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem teach about God’s heart?

Jesus cries out, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which kills the prophets and stones those sent to you, how often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!” He shows deep sorrow over the city’s long history of rejecting God’s messengers. The picture of a hen gathering her chicks speaks of tender care and protection. God was willing to gather and shelter them, but they refused. Their house is left desolate, yet there is still a hint of hope when he speaks of a future time when they will bless the one who comes in the Lord’s name.

Luke.13.1

Luke 13:1

KJV

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

A Call to Repentance

1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, 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.

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

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.

Jesus Heals a Disabled Woman

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.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

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.

The Parable of the Leaven

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.

The Narrow Door

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.

Lament over Jerusalem

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.

Cross References

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