Luke 13
A Call to Repent
13:1 Now1 there were some present on that occasion who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.2 13:2 He3 answered them, “Do you think these Galileans were worse sinners4 than all the other Galileans, because they suffered these things? 13:3 No, I tell you! But unless you repent,5 you will all perish as well!6 13:4 Or those eighteen who were killed7 when the tower in Siloam fell on them,8 do you think they were worse offenders than all the others who live in Jerusalem?9 13:5 No, I tell you! But unless you repent10 you will all perish as well!”11
Warning to Israel to Bear Fruit
13:6 Then12 Jesus13 told this parable: “A man had a fig tree14 planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. 13:7 So15 he said to the worker who tended the vineyard, ‘For16 three years17 now, I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and each time I inspect it18 I find none. Cut19 it down! Why20 should it continue to deplete21 the soil?’ 13:8 But the worker22 answered him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year too, until I dig around it and put fertilizer23 on it. 13:9 Then if24 it bears fruit next year,25 very well,26 but if27 not, you can cut it down.’”
Healing on the Sabbath
13:10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues28 on the Sabbath, 13:11 and a woman was there29 who had been disabled by a spirit30 for eighteen years. She31 was bent over and could not straighten herself up completely.32 13:12 When33 Jesus saw her, he called her to him34 and said, “Woman,35 you are freed36 from your infirmity.”37 13:13 Then38 he placed his hands on her, and immediately39 she straightened up and praised God. 13:14 But the president of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, “There are six days on which work40 should be done!41 So come42 and be healed on those days, and not on the Sabbath day.” 13:15 Then the Lord answered him,43 “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from its stall,44 and lead it to water?45 13:16 Then46 shouldn’t47 this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan48 bound for eighteen long49 years, be released from this imprisonment50 on the Sabbath day?” 13:17 When51 he said this all his adversaries were humiliated,52 but53 the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things54 he was doing.55
On the Kingdom of God
13:18 Thus Jesus56 asked,57 “What is the kingdom of God58 like?59 To60 what should I compare it? 13:19 It is like a mustard seed61 that a man took and sowed62 in his garden. It63 grew and became a tree,64 and the wild birds65 nested in its branches.”66
13:20 Again67 he said, “To what should I compare the kingdom of God?68 13:21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with69 three measures70 of flour until all the dough had risen.”71
The Narrow Door
13:22 Then72 Jesus73 traveled throughout74 towns75 and villages, teaching and making his way toward76 Jerusalem.77 13:23 Someone78 asked79 him, “Lord, will only a few80 be saved?” So81 he said to them, 13:24 “Exert every effort82 to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 13:25 Once83 the head of the house84 gets up85 and shuts the door, then you will stand outside and start to knock on the door and beg him, ‘Lord,86 let us in!’87 But he will answer you,88 ‘I don’t know where you come from.’89 13:26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’90 13:27 But91 he will reply,92 ‘I don’t know where you come from!93 Go away from me, all you evildoers!’94 13:28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth95 when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob,96 and all the prophets in the kingdom of God97 but you yourselves thrown out.98 13:29 Then99 people100 will come from east and west, and from north and south, and take their places at the banquet table101 in the kingdom of God.102 13:30 But103 indeed,104 some are last105 who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
Going to Jerusalem
13:31 At that time,106 some Pharisees107 came up and said to Jesus,108 “Get away from here,109 because Herod110 wants to kill you.” 13:32 But111 he said to them, “Go112 and tell that fox,113 ‘Look, I am casting out demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day114 I will complete my work.115 13:33 Nevertheless I must116 go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, because it is impossible117 that a prophet should be killed118 outside Jerusalem.’119 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,120 you who kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you!121 How often I have longed122 to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but123 you would have none of it!124 13:35 Look, your house is forsaken!125 And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’”126