*Luke 13:1-21
Jesus uses two tragedies as springboards to call for repentance and teaches about the nature of the Kingdom of God using parables of the mustard seed and leaven.
- Warning to Repent:
- Jesus responds to news about Galileans killed by Pilate and the victims of a tower collapse.
- He dismisses the notion that these tragedies were due to particular sins.
- Instead, He warns that unless all repent, they will face similar destruction, emphasizing universal need for repentance.
- Parable of the Fig Tree:
- Jesus shares a parable about a barren fig tree.
- The vineyard owner, frustrated by its lack of fruit, wishes to cut it down.
- The gardener, however, convinces him to wait another year, during which the tree will receive extra care, illustrating God’s patience and willingness to give people time to change.
- Healing on the Sabbath:
- In a synagogue, Jesus heals a woman who had been crippled for 18 years.
- The synagogue leader criticizes Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, arguing that work should be done on other days.
- Jesus rebukes him for hypocrisy, highlighting that even animals are taken care of on the Sabbath, thus prioritizing human welfare over rigid rules.
- Parables of the Mustard Seed and Yeast:
- Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed, the smallest of seeds that grows into a large tree.
- He also likens it to yeast that, though small, permeates and transforms an entire batch of dough.
- Both parables illustrate the surprising and transformative growth of God’s Kingdom from humble beginnings.
13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
13:2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
13:4 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? 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
13:6 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.
13:7 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? 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: 13:9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
13:10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
13:11 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.
13:12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
13:13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
13:14 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.
13:15 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? 13:16 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? 13:17 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.
13:18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? 13:19 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.
13:20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 13:21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.