Notes on Luke 12:54-13:6

Luke 12:54-55

crowds. Jesus turned from speaking to his disciples (12:21) to the larger crowd shift in audience. cloudrising . . . wind is blowing. The patterned weather of the region made it easy to predict basic weather.

Luke 12:56

Though people knew how to predict weather (vv. 54-55), they could not predict the movement of God's plan. They lacked spiritual discernment and missed what God was doing in Jesus (19:44; see 1 Chron. 12:32).

Luke 12:57

Jesus expected that the people would discern their own spiritual condition and take appropriate action (vv. 58-59).

Luke 12:58-59

There's a time to fight and a time to settle. If you're innocent, then you should fight the false charges brought against you. But if you're guilty, you'd better settle before you get to court. Jesus used this wise approach to warn people about the coming judgment. It is better to seek God's mercy through faith in Jesus before you stand before him as judge (Tit. 3:5; Heb. 8:2). On the last day, there will be no mercy for those who did not repent (see John 12:5; Rom. 2:5; Rev. 20:11-15).

Luke 13:1

At that time. Not long after Jesus's exhortation about spiritual discernment (12:57-59). They believed they understood the times and gave an example. This incident was well-known at the time, but Luke was the only ancient historian who mentioned the event. Pilate. However, Pilate was notorious for his brutality and massacres. He was especially antagonistic towards the Jewish people. Galileans. Galilean Jews of that time were especially resentful of the Roman oversight of Israel. Pilate saw them as trouble-makers for the peace and security of Rome in the region. Their death may have been intended as a warning to others. blood. This probably took place during Passover, which was the only time non-priests were involved in blood sacrifice. While they were there, Pilate had them killed. Moreover, he blasphemed God by mixing the blood of their sacrifices in worship to God with their own blood.

Luke 13:2

more sinful. A common view of that day was that one's circumstances revealed one's spiritual state. suffered. Jesus did not deny that sin often has consequences in this life (Hos. 8:7). His point is that suffering is a part of life because we live in a sin-stained world (Gen. 3:16-19; Rom. 8:20-21). All humanity is sinful and deserves God's wrath in this life and the life to come (Rom. 1:18-32).

Luke 13:3

No. Answer to the question asked in v. 2. The Galileans who died by Pilate's hands were not more sinful than others. repent. Turning from sin toward God in faith (see note on 3:3). Jesus took the physical death of these people and used it to point to the spiritual death awaiting sinful people before a holy God. When we see the devastating effects of life in a sinful world, we should hear it as a call to personal repentance. See WCF 15.3; WLC 153.

Luke 13:4

Another incident that was well-known at the time, but we are unaware of today (see note on v. 1). Siloam . . . tower. Perhaps a construction accident near the famous pool of Siloam in Jerusalem. Although, it could have also been part of the city wall that weakened and fell. fell. This is in contrast to the incident with the Galileans (v. 1). These eighteen people died by accident not the murderous intent of another.

Luke 13:5

See note on v. 3; WCF 15:3; WLC 153.

Luke 13:6

parable. See note on 8:4. fig tree . . .vineyard. Common Old Testament imagery for the nation of Israel. none. Though God planted and cared for his people, they did not produce fruit of righteousness (Isa. 5:2).

Related Resources

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.