Preface: Jesus continues teaching in this chapter, which is the thrust of these middle chapters. He seems to be traveling with His disciples through various cities. The final six verses in this chapter again have the Lord making His way towards Jerusalem.

He discusses a current event at the beginning of this chapter, then tells the parable of the barren fig tree. He goes to a synagogue and heals a woman there, but it is on the Sabbath. Therefore, the director of the synagogue gives Him a hard time. Jesus explains their hypocrisy to the crowd. He explains the Kingdom of God using two parables. Someone asks Him about the narrow way (to be saved), and He acknowledges this, and explains it with a parable about going to a man’s home at night and asking for him to open up to you. Several pharisees warn Jesus about threats from Herod, and Jesus gives a rather puzzling answer (which answer, we will sort out). Finally, Jesus laments over the negative volition in Jerusalem.

Bible Summary: Jesus said, "Repent or you will perish." He healed a woman on the Sabbath. He said, "Seek the narrow door. I must go on to Jerusalem." 

This should be the most extensive examination of Luke 13 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Outline of Chapter 13:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1–5           Deaths of the Galileans

         vv.     6–9           Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

         vv.    10–13         A Woman with a Spirit of Infirmity

         vv.    14–17         Jesus is Challenge for Healing on the Sabbath

         vv.    18–21         Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven

         vv.    22–30         The Narrow Door/Parable of the Homeowner and Those Knocking on His Door

         vv.    31–33         Pharisees Warn Jesus about Herod

         vv.    34–35         Lamentation for Jerusalem

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Luke 13 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Luke 13 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Luke 13

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel of Luke 13

         Introduction         The Principals of Luke 13

         Introduction         The Places of Luke 13

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Luke 13

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of Luke 13 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Luke 13 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Luke 12–15)

         Introduction         Paragraph Divisions of Modern Translation for Luke 13

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

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         v.      21              Comparing Luke 5:1–3 13:18–21 to similar passages

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         v.      32              Luke 13:32: Jesus lays out His immediate plans (various commentators)

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         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Luke 13 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Luke 13

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Luke 13

         Summary 

         Summary 

         Addendum          Herod Antipas (Hastings NT)

         Addendum          Pontius Pilate (Hastings NT)

         Addendum          Community Bible Footnote for Matthew 13:31

         Addendum          Footnote to Luke 9:22–30 (Kretzmann’s Commentary of the Bible)

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         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Luke 13

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         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Luke 13

         Addendum          Word Cloud from a Reasonably Literal Paraphrase of Luke 13

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Luke 13

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An Introduction to Luke 13

I ntroduction: Luke 13 is in the middle section of Luke, which is an assembly of incidents and teachings (mostly teachings) which Luke obtained by interviewing perhaps dozens of witnesses (although the book of Luke may have depended upon as few as five eyewitnesses, I would suggest that there are many more than that).

There are about eight narratives found in this chapter (I am including teaching sections as being among those narratives), and many of these sections are unique (which is true for much of the middle section of Luke). Even though Luke is one of the synoptic gospels, there appears to be a lot of material which is exclusive to Luke.

In vv. 1–5, Jesus speaks of two current events. Although I have not explored this thoroughly, it appears that Luke alone of all historians preserves these historic events. Jesus uses these two events to teach a spiritual principle.

Vv. 6–9 is the parable of the barren fig tree. Although Jesus curses a fig tree in Matthew and Mark, this parable appears to be unique to Luke.

In vv. 10–17, Jesus heals a severely crippled woman on a Sabbath day in a synagogue, and the synagogue official accuses Jesus of working on the Sabbath. Jesus exposes the man’s great hypocrisy. Although this exposing of the hypocrisy immediately follows the healing of the cripple woman, these are two very difference incidents.

In vv. 18–21, Jesus gives two more parables—about the mustard seed and the leaven—which teaching is found in both Matthew and Mark (maybe this is a parallel incident and maybe not). This appears to be the only incident in Luke 13 that may have a parallel elsewhere (that will be discussed in detail at the end of this passage).

The narrow door teaching is found in vv. 22–30. Jesus teaches that there will be many Jews who will not enter into the Kingdom of God; and He implies that there will be many gentiles there. Although Jesus does speak of a narrow door elsewhere, there are too many details which suggest that this passage in Luke is unique (that is, it has no actual parallels in the other gospels).

Finally, in vv. 31–35, a group of pharisees warn Jesus about Herod. Jesus gives them His schedule for the next few days, and then laments Jerusalem, which kills the prophets of God. A portion of this incident probably has the largest numbers of interpretations as anyone can find (for vv. 32–33). I will not only give an original interpretation, but mine is correct. The final two verses (vv. 34–35) may have taken place at this time, but in terms of subject matter, it is unrelated to the earlier portion of this section.

There is nothing which tells us that these incidents occurred together in this order or over any specific period of time. The final section of Luke 13 appears to be consistent with the Lord traveling toward Jerusalem near the end of His public ministry.

Most of what follows in Luke 14–18½ is unique to Luke (with maybe three or four exceptions). We seem to be continuing with the theme of Luke recording a series of incidents and teachings (mostly teachings) which took place in the Lord’s public ministry, but without any thought given to setting them into a chronological sequence. See the Introduction to Luke (HTML) (PDF) (WPD), Luke 9 (HTML) (PDF) (WPD) and Luke 18 (HTML) (PDF) (WPD) for more information on the structure and organization of the book of Luke.

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Deaths of the Galileans

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    But have been arriving some to Him in the time, bringing tidings to Him about the Galileans whose the blood Pilate mixed with the sacrifices of them.

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And there were present, at that very time, some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Holy Aramaic Scriptures        Now, at that time, some came and told Him about those Galilaye {Galileans}; those whom Pilatus had mingled their blood with their sacrifices.

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And at that time, some came and told him of those Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Original Aramaic NT              At that time some people came and told him about those Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         At that time some people came and told him about those Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             Now some people who were there at that time, gave him an account of how the blood of some Galilaeans had been mixed by Pilate with their offerings.

Bible in Worldwide English     Some people were there at that time who told Jesus what Pilate had done. He had killed some of the people of Galilee and put their blood with the blood of their sacrifices to God.

Easy English                          Stop doing wrong things or die

At that time, some people were with Jesus. They told him what happened to some people from Galilee. They had been burning animals as a gift for God. Pilate sent some soldiers to kill them.

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  Some people there with Jesus at that time told him about what had happened to some worshipers from Galilee. Pilate had them killed. Their blood was mixed with the blood of the animals they had brought for sacrificing.

God’s Word™                         At that time some people reported to Jesus about some Galileans whom Pilate had executed while they were sacrificing animals.

Good News Bible (TEV)         At that time some people were there who told Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices to God.

J. B. Phillips                           Jesus is asked about the supposed significance of disasters

It was just at this moment that some people came up to tell him the story of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with that of their own sacrifices.

The Message                         Unless You Turn to God

About that time some people came up and told him about the Galileans Pilate had killed while they were at worship, mixing their blood with the blood of the sacrifices on the altar.

NIRV                                      Turn Away From Sin or Die

Some people who were there at that time told Jesus about certain Galileans. Pilate had mixed their blood with their sacrifices.

New Life Version                    Everyone Should Be Sorry for Their Sins and Turn from Them

At this time some people came to Jesus. They told Him that Pilate had killed some people from the country of Galilee. It was while they were giving gifts of animals on the altar in worship to God.

New Simplified Bible              Some people there gave him an account of how Pilate killed some Galilaeans while they offered sacrifices.

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible              JESUS, BREAKING RULES TO DO SOME GOOD

IF YOU SIN, STOP IT

Some people in the crowd approached Jesus and told him that Pilate had murdered some fellow Galileans who had gone to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Temple.

Contemporary English V.       About this same time Jesus was told that Pilate had given orders for some people from Galilee to be killed while they were offering sacrifices.

The Living Bible                     About this time he was informed that Pilate had butchered some Jews from Galilee as they were sacrificing at the Temple in Jerusalem.

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           A Call to Repentance

About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  At that time, some people told Jesus about some Galileans whom soldiers had recently killed in Jerusalem. Pilate, the Roman governor, had ordered soldiers to kill them while they were offering sacrifices in the temple.

Williams’ New Testament      Just at that time some people came up to tell Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate mingled with that of their sacrifices.

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          Well at the time, some people there were talking to Jesus about certain Galileans whose blood had been mixed with their sacrifices by [Pontius] Pilate.

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            Some were beside Him at the same time, who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate mixed with their sacrifices.

Common English Bible           Demand for genuine change

Some who were present on that occasion told Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       At this very time there were some present that told him the story of those Galileans, whose blood Pilate had shed in the midst of their sacrifices.

NT for Everyone                     The Parable of the Fig Tree

At that moment some people came up and told them the news. Some Galileans had been in the Temple, and Pilate had mixed their blood with that of the sacrifices.

20^th Century New Testament Just at that time some people had come to tell Jesus about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    Some of the people present told Him of certain Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

Pilate was attacking their faith by mixing blood into sacrifices, a pagan tradition. Romans would later attack Christianity in a similar way under Julian the Apostate.

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                Pilate and the Galileans.

There arrived at that very moment some who informed Him about the Galilean, whose blood Pilate had mixed with that of their sacrifices.

Free Bible Version                 It was around this time that some people told Jesus about Pilatekilling of some Galileans while they were offering sacrifices in the Temple.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           There were present at the same season, that showed him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mingled with their own sacrifice.

International Standard V        Repent or Die

At that time, some people who were there told Jesus [Lit. him] about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. [I.e. whom Pilate had executed while they were sacrificing animals] . NRSV (Anglicized Cath. Ed.)

NIV, ©2011                             .

Wikipedia Bible Project          Around that time people told Jesus about some Galileans who had been killed by Pilate even while they were offering sacrifices in the Temple.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)     The fig tree without fruit

• One day some people told Jesus what had occurred in the Temple: Pilate had had Galileans killed, and their blood mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.

• 13.1 They told Jesus… about an uprising of Galileans in the temple court and the immediate intervention of the Roman guard stationed at a nearby fortress. They profaned the holy grounds strictly reserved for the Jews and shed blood in the Holy Place.

Those relating the story expect that Jesus will answer in a way expressing his national and religious indignation over the killing of his compatriots and the offense against God. Jesus does not choose to focus on these issues: as usual he shows that people are more absorbed in human rather than divine causes and he calls their attention to what counts: those Galilean patriots were violent men, just like the Roman soldiers who killed them. Right then, God was calling everyone to a conversion on which their survival depended. In such a violent atmosphere there was no way out for the dominated Jewish people except through faith, because faith works through the spirit of forgiveness.

GOD’S PUNISHMENT

In this passage Jesus questions the idea we have of God’s punishment. We cannot believe in God without believing in justice. For the Greeks whose gods were capricious and not very honest, justice was a divine power superior to the gods. We always tend to make ourselves the center of the world and believe we are better than others. If misfortune falls on someone else, we think it is just, but when it is our turn, we ask: “What have I done against God that this should happen to me?”

The Gospel deals with several aspects of the question. First of all let us try to be free of a ghetto mentality (see 6:32): the evil done by our enemies is not worse than the evil we do.

The justice of God goes far beyond our justice, and is only really fulfilled in the next life (the case of Lazarus, 16:19).

The misfortune, which to us here below appears as the “punishment of God,” is no more than a sign, a pedagogical measure used by God to make us aware of our sin. And God often converts a sinner by granting him unexpect ted favors (see the case of Zacchæus, 19:1).

Then why is there so much about God’s punishment in the Old Testament? God’s people did not know yet an afterlife, so it was necessary to speak of God’s punishments in this life, for these people to believe in his justice. In fact God continues to give such signs both for persons and for communities. It is good to know how to recognize them, keeping in mind they are not the last word of God’s justice.

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   A Call to Repentance.*

At that time some people who were present there told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate* had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.

* [13:1–5] The death of the Galileans at the hands of Pilate (Lk 13:1) and the accidental death of those on whom the tower fell (Lk 13:4) are presented by the Lucan Jesus as timely reminders of the need for all to repent, for the victims of these tragedies should not be considered outstanding sinners who were singled out for punishment.

* [13:1] The slaughter of the Galileans by Pilate is unknown outside Luke; but from what is known about Pilate from the Jewish historian Josephus, such a slaughter would be in keeping with the character of Pilate. Josephus reports that Pilate had disrupted a religious gathering of the Samaritans on Mount Gerizim with a slaughter of the participants (Antiquities 18:86–87), and that on another occasion Pilate had killed many Jews who had opposed him when he appropriated money from the temple treasury to build an aqueduct in Jerusalem (Jewish War 2:175–77; Antiquities 18:60–62).

New English Bible–1970        Repent or Perish (Judæa)

AT THAT VERY TIME there were some people present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

New Jerusalem Bible             It was just about this time that some people arrived and told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices.

NRSV (Anglicized Cath. Ed.) Jesus Calls for Repentance.^[a] At that time, some people who were present told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices.

[a] Jesus is told of a bloody repression that had just occurred in Galilee. He indicates that it is useless to fix the blame upon its victims (see Jn 9:3). Such events remind us that the judgment is only suspended and that death can surprise us at any time. Hence, they are a call to repent.

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           Just then, some people came to tell Yeshua about the men from the Galil whom Pilate had slaughtered even while they were slaughtering animals for sacrifice..

exeGeses companion Bible   .

Hebraic Roots Bible               .

Holy New Covenant Trans.    At that time some people came to Jesus. They told Jesus about what had happened to some people from the Galilee: Pilate had killed those people while they were worshipping, mixing their own blood with the blood of the animals that they were sacrificing.

The Israel Bible (beta)            .

Israeli Authorised Version      .

Tree of Life Version                Now there were some present at the same time who told Yeshua about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...came but (Some) Ones in him the time Announcing [to] him about the galileans [of] whom* the blood Pilate mixes with the sacrifices [of] them...

Awful Scroll Bible                   Moreover, there were-at there from-within that time, some messaging-out to him about The Circuit whose blood Appressed mingles with their sacrifices.

Concordant Literal Version    Now there were some present, on the same occasion, reporting to Him concerning the Galileans whose blood Pilate mixes with their sacrifices."

exeGeses companion Bible   YAH SHUA ON REPENTANCE

And present at that season

are some who evangelize him about the Galiliym,

whose blood Pilatos mingled with their sacrifices.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           Now on the same occasion there were some present reporting to Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach about the men of the Galil whose blood Pilate mixed with their zevakhim (sacrifices).

Rotherham’s Emphasized B.                             § 55. All must Repent: The Barren Fig-tree.

Chapter 13.

Now there were present some |in that veryʹseason| bringing tidings to himˎ concerning the Galilæans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                Call to Repent

Just at that time some people came who told Jesus about the ^[a]Galileans whose blood Pilate [the governor] had mixed with their sacrifices.

[a] These evidently were Jews who had come to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the temple. They probably were identified, rightly or wrongly, as rebels whose goal it was to overthrow Roman domination. The graphic description suggests that they were executed outside the temple complex after they had offered their sacrifices.

An Understandable Version   Now there were some there at that very time who told Jesus about some people from Galilee whose blood Pilate [the Roman governor] had mixed with their sacrifices [i.e., he had them murdered while they were offering their sacrifices].

The Expanded Bible              Change Your Hearts

At that time some people were there who told Jesus that Pilate [^C Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea from ad 26 to 36; see 3:1] had killed some people from Galilee while they were worshiping. He mixed their blood with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing to God.

Jonathan Mitchell NT             Now there were some present, on that same occasion and situation, [who were] reporting to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices (= whom Pilate slaughtered as they were offering sacrifices perhaps as they were slaughtering the animals).

P. Kretzmann Commentary    Verses 1-5

Last Admonitions to Repentance.

The lesson of the Galilean tragedy:

There were present at that season some that told Him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Syndein/Thieme                     {Warning Not to Judge Others - One of the 7 Worst Sins}

`` Now there were some present on that occasion who told Him {Jesus} about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

Translation for Translators                        Jesus warned people that God would punish them

if they did not turn from their sinful lives.

Luke 13:1-5

Some people who were listening to Jesus at that time told him about some people from Galilee district who had gone to Jerusalem. Pilate, the Roman governor, had ordered soldiers to kill them [MTY] while they were offering sacrifices in the Temple there.

The Voice                               As He said this, some people told Him the latest news about a group of Galilean pilgrims in Jerusalem—a group not unlike Jesus’ own entourage. Pilate butchered them while they were at worship, their own blood mingling with the blood of their sacrifices.

Bible Translations with a Lot of Footnotes:

NET Bible®                             A Call to Repent

Now¹ there were some present on that occasion who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.²

^1tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

^2sn This is an event that otherwise is unattested, though several events similar to it are noted in Josephus (J. W. 2.9.2-4 [2.169-177]; Ant. 13.13.5 [13.372-73], 18.3.1-2 [18.55-62]; 18.4.1 [18.85-87]). It would have caused a major furor.

The Passion Translation        The Need for True Repentance

Some of those present informed Jesus that Pilate had slaughtered some Galilean Jews^[a] while they were offering sacrifices at the temple, mixing their blood with the sacrifices they were offering.

^[a] It is likely that Pilate viewed these Jews as rebellious to his rule. This was indeed an atrocious act by Pilate.

The Spoken English NT         You’ll Die If you Don’t Change your Hearts

Now, some people arrived at that moment. They were telling Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate^a had mixed in with their sacrifices.

^a.Prn. pye-lit. Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea.

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Repent or perish

Now at that time there were some present who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Herod had mixed with their sacrifices. [One would think having Herod’s name here rather than Pilate’s would have warranted a footnote.]

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

A Faithful Version                  Now at the same time, there were present some who were telling Him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Analytical-Literal Translation  Now some [people] were showing up at that very time reporting to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate mixed with their sacrifices.

Context Group Version          .

Far Above All Translation       .

Holy B. Improved Ed. (1912)  Now there were some present at that very season who brought him word concerning the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices.

Modern Literal Version 2020  Now some were here at the same time reporting to him concerning the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mixed with their sacrifices.

New American Standard B.    Call to Repent

Now on that very occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with [I.e., shed along with] their sacrifices.

New European Version          The problem of suffering

Now there were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

New Matthew Bible                Of the Galileans whom Pilate slew, and of those that died in Siloam. The similitude of the fig tree. Christ heals the sick woman. The parables of the mustard seed and leaven. Few enter into the kingdom. Christ reproves Herod and Jerusalem.

There were present at that same time people who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate mingled with their own sacrifice.

Niobi Study Bible                   Repent or Perish; Parables of the Kingdom

There were present at that season some who told Him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Revised Young's Lit. Trans.   And there were present certain at that time, telling him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate did mingle with their sacrifices;...

Webster’s Translation           There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

The gist of this passage:     Jesus is asked to comment on a recent event which took place at the hand of Pilate.

Translation: Some present with Jesus [lit., Him] at [that] time...

What appears to be the case is, among those in the crowd which had come to Jesus, were some people who witnessed something horrendous. They took this moment to tell Jesus about what had happened.

It is not unusual for someone to see a gruesome incident and to look for some kind of explanation to explain just what they are seeing. What they saw was very disturbing.

Translation: ...made known to Him [a recent incident] where Pilate mixed the blood of [some] Galileans with their sacrifices.

It appears that these people had witnessed something which quite disturbed them, where they saw Pontius Pilate kill some Galileans and mix their blood with the blood of their animal sacrifices. See Pontius Pilate (Hastings NT).

Was this a sign of the end times to them? Was it just particularly difficult to witness, where they had no understanding of why this was taking place?

I think that they were bringing this incident to the Lord, because it is fresh on their minds, and they are upset and confused by it.

Interestingly enough, Wilbur Pickering has Herod rather than Pilate. Herod appears to have been more bloodthirsty and he would have had authority over Galilee. But, Pickering gives no explanation for that change.

Galileans went to Jerusalem to offer up sacrifices; and, apparently, Pilate spilled a little blood himself. But we do not have any sort of explanation here.

There is a second interpretation of this mingling of blood. At least one translation suggests that Pilate took the blood of heathen sacrifices and somehow made it a part of their ceremony. I don’t see it like that; I think the mingling of the blood was the blood of the Galileans.

Luke 13:1 Some present with Jesus [lit., Him] at [that] time made known to Him [a recent incident] where Pilate mixed the blood of [some] Galileans with their sacrifices. (Kukis moderately literal translation)

We should consider why was this asked of Jesus. Let me suggest that those asking were hoping that Jesus would offer them some revolutionary statements or quotes. But Jesus does not go down that road.

Luke 13:1 Certain ones among that crowd came to Jesus and told Him about a recent incident, where Governor Pilate killed some Galileans and mixed their blood in with the animal sacrifices that they were offering. (Kukis paraphrase)

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Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    And answering, He said to them, “You [all] keep thinking that the Galileans [are] sinful in comparison to all the Galileans, that these things have been affected. ‘No indeed,’ I keep on saying to you [all]. If you [all] do not change your thinking, all things likewise you [all] will destroy.

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?

No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.

Holy Aramaic Scriptures        And Eshu {Yeshua} answered and said unto them, “Do you think that these Galilaye {Galileans} were greater Khatayin {Sinners} than all Galilaye {Galileans} because this happened unto them?

I say unto you, no, but, that also all of you, if you don’t repent, you will likewise perish!

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And Jesus replied, and said to them: Suppose ye, that these Galileans were sinners beyond all the Galileans, because this occurred to them?

No. And I say to you, That all of you also, unless ye repent, will likewise perish..

Original Aramaic NT              And Yeshua answered and said to them, "Do you think that these Galileans were sinners moreso than all Galileans because this happened to them?"

"No, I say to you, but all of you also shall likewise be destroyed unless you repent."

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         And Yeshua answered and said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were sinners more so than all Galileans because this happened to them?”

“No, but I say to you, all of you also shall likewise be destroyed unless you repent.”

Significant differences: 

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             And he, in answer, said to them, Are you of the opinion that these Galilaeans were worse than all other Galilaeans, because these things were done to them? 

I say to you, It is not so: but if your hearts are not changed, you will all come to the same end.

Bible in Worldwide English     Jesus answered, Do you think it was because they were worse than all the other people in Galilee? I tell you, "No!" But if you do not stop doing wrong things, then you will all die as they did.

Easy English                          Jesus replied, ‘Think about those people from Galilee. Perhaps you think that they had done more bad things than other people from Galilee. Do you think that is why they had to die? No! But I tell you this. All of you have done many bad things. So you must change how you live and you must turn to God. If you do not, you will also die as they did.

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  Jesus answered, "Do you think this happened to those people because they were more sinful than all other people from Galilee? No, they were not. But if you don't decide now to change your lives, you will all be destroyed like those people!

God’s Word™                         Jesus replied to them, "Do you think that this happened to them because they were more sinful than other people from Galilee? No! I can guarantee that they weren't. But if you don't turn to God and change the way you think and act, then you, too, will all die.

Good News Bible (TEV)         Jesus answered them, "Because those Galileans were killed in that way, do you think it proves that they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No indeed! And I tell you that if you do not turn from your sins, you will all die as they did.

J. B. Phillips                           Jesus made this reply to them: “Are you thinking that these Galileans were worse sinners than any other men of Galilee because this happened to them? I assure you that is not so. You will all die just as miserable a death unless your hearts are changed!

The Message                         Jesus responded, “Do you think those murdered Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans? Not at all. Unless you turn to God, you, too, will die.

NIRV                                      Jesus said, “These people from Galilee suffered greatly. Do you think they were worse sinners than all the other Galileans? I tell you, no! But unless you turn away from your sins, you will all die too.

New Life Version                    Jesus said to them, “What about these people from Galilee? Were they worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee because they suffered these things? No, I tell you. But unless you are sorry for your sins and turn from them, you too will all die.

New Simplified Bible              .

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible              Jesus asked them, “Do you think this means those Galileans were worse sinners than other Galileans? No it doesn’t. But I’ll also tell you this. Unless you reject[1] your sinful way of living, you’re going to be destroyed, too.

¹13:3The Greek word is often translated “repent.”

Contemporary English V.       Jesus replied: Do you think that these people were worse sinners than everyone else in Galilee just because of what happened to them? Not at all! But you can be sure that if you don't turn back to God, every one of you will also be killed.

The Living Bible                     “Do you think they were worse sinners than other men from Galilee?” he asked. “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And don’t you realize that you also will perish unless you leave your evil ways and turn to God?

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  Jesus replied to them, "Do you think that this happened to those people from Galilee because they were more sinful than all the other Galileans?   I assure you, that was not the reason! But you need to remember that God will similarly punish you if you do not turn from your sinful behavior.

William's New Testament       .

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          .

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            And when He responded, He said to them, "Does it seem to you that these Galileans became sinful people beyond all the Galileans because they have suffered these things? Definitely not, I tell you, but Furthermore, if you do not change your ways, you all will likewise be ruined.

Common English Bible           He replied, “Do you think the suffering of these Galileans proves that they were more sinful than all the other Galileans? No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you will die just as they did.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles Jesus answering, said to them, Do you think that these Galileans were the greatest sinners in all Galilee, because they suffered such usage? I tell you, No: but unless you reform, you shall all likewise perish;...

New Advent (Knox) Bible       And Jesus said in answer, Do you suppose, because this befell them, that these men were worse sinners than all else in Galilee? I tell you it is not so; you will all perish as they did, if you do not repent.

NT for Everyone                     ‘Do you suppose’, said Jesus, ‘that those Galileans suffered such things because they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? No, let me tell you! Unless you repent, you will all be destroyed in the same way.

20^th Century New Testament "Do you suppose," replied Jesus, "that, because these Galileans have suffered in this way, they were worse sinners than any other Galileans? No, I tell you; but, unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Christian Standard Bible        .

Conservapedia Translation    .

Revised Ferrar-Fenton Bible  "Do you think," said Jesus in reply to them, "that those Galilean were the greatest sinners in all Galilee, because they were subjected to such usage?

By no means, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all be lost in the same way.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           .

International Standard V        He asked them, “Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all the other Galileans because they suffered like this? Absolutely not, I tell you! But if you don’t repent, then you, too, will all die. NRSV (Anglicized Cath. Ed.)

NIV, ©2011                             .

Riverside New Testament      He answered them, "Do you think that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans because they suffered this? No, I tell you, but unless you have a change of heart, you will all perish in the same way.

Leicester A. Sawyer’s NT      .

Urim-Thummim Version         But Jesus answering said to them, Suppose you that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, No: but, except you have a change of mind, you will all likewise perish.

Weymouth New Testament    "Do you suppose," He asked in reply, "that those Galilaeans were worse sinners than the mass of the Galilaeans, because this happened to them? I tell you, certainly not. On the contrary, if you are not penitent you will all perish as they did.

Wikipedia Bible Project          “Do you think that these Galileans were the worst sinners among all Galileans because they suffered like this?” Jesus asked them.

“No. But I tell you, unless you repent, you will all die like them too.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)  Jesus asked them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered this? No, I tell you. But unless you change your ways, you will all perish as they did.

Jn 9:2

The Heritage Bible                 .

New American Bible (2002)   .

New American Bible (2011)   He said to them in reply, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans?^a By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent,^b you will all perish as they did!

a. [13:2] Jn 9:2.

b. [13:3–5] Jn 8:24.

New English Bible–1970        He answered them: 'Do you imagine that, because these Galileans suffered this fate, they must have been greater sinners than anyone else in Galilee? I tell you they were not; but unless you repent, you will all of you come to the same end.

New Jerusalem Bible             At this he said to them, 'Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than any others, that this should have happened to them? They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.

NRSV (Anglicized Cath. Ed.) .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           His answer to them was, “Do you think that just because they died so horribly, these folks from the Galil were worse sinners than all the others from the Galil? No, I tell you. Rather, unless you turn to God from your sins, you will all die as they did!

Hebraic Roots Bible               And answering, Yahshua said to them, Do you think that these Galileans were sinners beyond all the Galileans, because they were killed this way? No, I say to you, But if you do not repent, you will all likewise be destroyed.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    Jesus answered, "Do you think this happened to those Galileans because they were more sinful than all others from the Galilee? No, they were not! However, I am telling you, if all of you don’t change your hearts, then you will be destroyed as they were!.

The Scriptures 2009              And יהושע answering, said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they have suffered like this? 

“I say to you, no! But unless you repent you shall all perish in the same way.

Tree of Life Version                .

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...and Answering [He] says [to] them [You*] suppose for The Galileans These Offending against all the galileans become for these [They] have suffered not [I] say [to] you* but if not [You*] may rethink All similarly [You*] will lose {yourselves}...

Awful Scroll Bible                   Then Deliverance-of-Jah being came to be resolved-away, said to them, "Suppose yous, certainly-of-which these The Circuit became they missing-the-mark, aside from any of The Circuit, certainly-of-which they have undergone the experience, truly-the-same-as-this?

(")I instruct to yous, not so, notwithstanding if- yous shall -not after-think, yourselves will all as-to-the-same, perish-away.

Concordant Literal Version    .

exeGeses companion Bible   And Yah Shua answers them, saying,

Think you that these Galiliym

became sinners above all the Galiliym

because they suffered such?

I word to you, Indeed not:

but unless you repent, you all likewise destruct.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           And, in reply, Moshiach said, Do you think that these men of the Galil were greater chote’im (sinners) than all others of the Galil, because they suffered this shud (misfortune)?

Lo (no), I say, but unless you make teshuva, you will all likewise perish.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B. Andˎ answeringˎ he said unto them—

Suppose yeˎ that ||these Galilæans|| had become

|sinners beyond allʹ the Galilæans|, because |these things| they have suffered?

Nay! I tell you, but ||except ye repent|| ye |allˎ in like manner| shall perish.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                Jesus replied to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they have suffered in this way? I tell you, no; but unless you repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways and live changed lives], you will all likewise perish.

An Understandable Version   And He answered them, “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all [other] Galileans because they suffered such a fate? No, I tell you; but unless you repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives], you [too] will all be destroyed just as they were.

The Expanded Bible              Jesus answered, “Do you think ·this happened to them [^L they suffered these things] because they were more sinful than all others from Galilee? No, I tell you. But unless you ·change your hearts and lives [repent], you will [^L all] be destroyed as they were!

Jonathan Mitchell NT             And so, giving a considered reply, Jesus said to them, "Does it normally seem to you (or: Do you continue to think, suppose, presume or imagine) that these Galileans had come to be folks who missed the target (sinners; failures) more so than and beyond all the [other] Galileans, seeing that they have experienced and suffered such things as these?

"I am now saying to you, No. Nevertheless, if you folks should not progressively change your thinking [includes: so as to return to Yahweh], you will all likewise proceed in destroying yourselves [i.e., by coming into conflict with the Romans].

P. Kretzmann Commentary    .

Lexham Bible                         And he answered and [*Here “and ” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb] said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were sinners worse than all the Galileans, because they suffered these things ? No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as well!

Syndein/Thieme                     `` He {Jesus} 'had an answer for'/'gave a discerning answer from the ultimate source of Himself ' {apokrinomai}, saying to them, "Do you think these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered these things?

`` No, I tell you! But, in contrast, unless/'if {ean} not' you 'emotionally change your mind'/repent {metanoeo is the 'emotional' version of the unemotional 'homologeo'} - maybe you will, maybe you will not {3rd class condition} - you will all perish too!

{Note: This is similar to the book of Job, where Job's three friends 'judged' him as being a 'secret sinner' and deserving of his testing from God. Jesus is saying these Galileans could have been being tested for advancement and are great believers! Then if these people are judging them, they are great sinners subject to the sin unto death. Their salvation is not at risk. Only their physical lives.}

Translation for Translators     Jesus replied to them, “Do you think that this happened to those people from Galilee because they were more sinful than all the other people from Galilee? I assure you, that was not so! But instead of being concerned about them, you need to remember that God will similarly punish you eternally if you do not turn away from your sinful behavior.

The Voice                               Jesus: Do you think these Galileans were somehow being singled out for their sins, that they were worse than any other Galileans, because they suffered this terrible death? Of course not. But listen, if you do not consider God’s ways and truly change, then friends, you should prepare to face His judgment and eternal death.

Bible Translations with Many Footnotes:

NET Bible®                             He³ answered them, “Do you think these Galileans were worse sinners⁴ than all the other Galileans, because they suffered these things? No, I tell you! But unless you repent,⁵ you will all perish as well!⁶

^3tn Grk “And he.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.

^4sn Jesus did not want his hearers to think that tragedy was necessarily a judgment on these people because they were worse sinners.

^5sn Jesus was stressing that all stand at risk of death, if they do not repent and receive life.

^6tn Or “you will all likewise perish,” but this could be misunderstood to mean that they would perish by the same means as the Galileans. Jesus’ point is that apart from repentance all will perish.

The Passion Translation        Jesus turned and asked the crowd, “Do you believe that the slaughtered Galileans were the worst sinners of all the Galileans? No, they weren’t! So listen to me. Unless you all repent,^[b] you will perish as they did.

^[b] The Greek term for repentance means “to change your mind and amend your ways.”

The Spoken English NT         Jesus said back to them, “Do you folks think that those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because this happened to them? No, not at all. I’m telling you, if you don’t change your hearts^b you’ll all die just the same.

^b.Traditionally: “repent” (see “Bible Words”).

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Analytical-Literal Translation  And answering, Jesus said to them, "Do you_p think that these Galileans were sinners more than all the [other] Galileans, because they have suffered such [things]?

"Not at all, I say to you_p, but if youp are not repenting, you_p will all likewise perish.

Context Group Version          And he answered and said to them, Do you (pl) think that these Galileans were disgracers [of God] above all the Galileans, because they have suffered these things? I tell you (pl), No: but, unless you (pl) reorient your lives, you (pl) shall all in like manner perish.

Far Above All Translation       To this Jesus reacted and said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all the other Galileans, because they have suffered such things? No, I say to you, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.

Legacy Standard Bible           .

Literal Standard Version        And there were some present at that time, telling Him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mingled with their sacrifices;

and Jesus answering said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans became sinners beyond all the Galileans, because they have suffered such things?

No—I say to you, but if you may not convert, even so will all you perish. V. 1 is included for context.

New American Standard        And Jesus responded and said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans just because they have suffered this fate? No, I tell you, but unless you [b]repent [Or are repentant], you will all likewise perish.

Revised Geneva Translation  And Jesus answered, and said to them, “Do you suppose that because they have suffered such things, these Galileans were greater sinners than all the other Galileans?

“I tell you no. But unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish. ..and Jesus answering said to them, 'Think you that these Galileans became sinners beyond all the Galileans, because they have suffered such things? No -- I say to you, but, if you may not reform, all you even so shall perish.

The gist of this passage:     Jesus asks those bringing him the news if they thought the Galileans who were suffering were worse sinners than other Galileans. He then warns those listening to Him.

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