Luke 13
1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
Pilate mingled their blood sacrifices with the slaughtering of the people for their beliefs and religious traditions.
2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?
Christ is asking, "Do you think the Galileans slaughtered by Pilate are bigger sinners than other Galileans, suffering more than the others?"
3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Without repentance, EVERYONE that refuses Christ will "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?
Biblical numerics 18 = "bondage" People would bathe next to this tower Ophal in Siloam and sit around its poolside relaxing. Christ asks "Do you think these eighteen that died sinned more then those living in Jerusalem?"
5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
NO! But we should repent that we may have life everlasting. People blame God for everything bad in their lives, ignoring what He has given. Free Will †
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.
Ref. John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
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?
If we are as this fig tree that bares no fruit, what good are we?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
After 3 years without producing, there is a need for the dresser fertilize it.
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
Once it's fed it should produce, but if it doesn't why should it be part of the vineyard. Heaven in the end, won't have anything wasteful in it. Evil has no place in it at all.
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.
He cast the evil spirit out of her.
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.
Your body needs rest but not as much as our minds. We rest in The Lord EVERYDAY, NOT one day a week. The religion of Legalism will separate you from a lot of God's Word, so be careful.
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?
Things must be done regardless of what day of the week it is. Open your eyes to what day is to be kept holy. That would be EVERYDAY! Everyday day is the same for God and His kingdom. They didn't like Christ healing on the Sabbath, but it's a tradition of humans they followed, not God.
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?
The Sabbath was made for man, not God and not one place in The Scriptures will you find doing good isn't aloud. She was bound 18 = bondage and there was work to be done.
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.
Those that refused The Truth couldn't say a thing back. They had no answer!
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 smallest seed grew large, bringing life to it. The Tree of life = Christ Jesus came to the earth to bring us life. Where do you live today?..... In Him?
20 And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God?
If you're a Christian, you're part of His kingdom right here, right now.
21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
A little leaven can make the whole thing grow. God's Word does the same. When you study, you grow in understanding and are able then to spread it throughout. In doing so, The kingdom of God grows.
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.
This requires you to follow The Path that leads to the strait gate. Nothing worthwhile is easy, but the reward is great. Study His Word, prepare for things to come and walk His Path.
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:
Why should He let you be a part of something you fought against while in this flesh. Why should His have to go through another age of evil, just because they decide to wake up when they're face to face with God. Of course they would do the same things again. They're evil and only care about themselves. In the end, there is NO evil.
26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
These will tell Christ they had communion and told others of His Word.
27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
They're frauds! They said they're Christians but never had much time for Him, giving their time to serving satan instead.
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.
This happens at the 7th trump. If you have studied 2 Thess. 2, Matthew 24 and I Corinthians 15, you understand who comes first and the events that take place after.
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.
Those that follow The Path to that strait gate will finally sit in His kingdom forever. Remember there's ONLY ONE WAY †
30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
Those that appeared to look like nothing now, in the end will be the greatest because of the love they have for God. MEAT; those that fought satan in the first age [The Elect] are the last to be born in this age to fight him agian.
31 The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
Herods evil had no boundaries. He would murder you if you point out anything he does.
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.
Christ has no fear and wants them all to know it.
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.
Christ knows where He will die. Ref. Isaiah 53 and Psalms 22
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!
As a hen protects her children under her wings, Christ wants to protect all of but many refuse now just as they did then.
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.
Without Christ, it's all a desolate place, but soon Jerusalem will have "abomination of desolation" = satan, right in the middle of it. Ref. Matthew 24 and Daniel 9:27