Luke 13

 

1 There were present at that time some who told Him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

 

2 And Jesus answered and said to them, Do you suppose that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

 

3 I tell you, No (just because they suffered doesn't mean they were sinners, for all this world can offer is suffering that ends in death): but (the kingdom of God is at hand and) except you repent (from trying to preserve your own life in the world, and believe on Me), you shall all likewise perish (in death).

 

4 Or those eighteen (Israelites), upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, Do you think that they were greater sinners than all the men that dwelled in Jerusalem?

 

5 I tell you, No (that does not mean they were sinners): but, except you repent (from looking to the life this world can give you, and instead seek the kingdom of God, which is your Father's good pleasure to give you, where He serves you with all the fruit of His life), you shall all likewise perish (in death).

 

6 He also spoke this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came and sought fruit thereon, and did not find any.

 

7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, Behold, these three years (symbolic of Christ being with them three years) I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none: cut it down; why should it even use up the ground?

 

8 And he answered and said to him, Sir, let it alone this year also, until when I shall (make intercession) dig about it, and put in manure:

 

9 And if it bears fruit during that time, so be it: and if not, then you shall cut it down. (He spoke of bearing the fruit of eternal life).

 

10 And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.

 

11 And, behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years, and was bent over, and was not able to lift up herself (nor could men lift themselves from death's infirmity that left them barren and unfruitful, lest they repent and seek the kingdom of God in Christ, where they abide in Him, the only vine that will produce the fruit of eternal life).

 

12 And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said to her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.

 

13 And He laid His hands on her: and immediately she was made straight and (standing straight up she) glorified God.

 

14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with outrage, because Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said to 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.

 

15 The Lord then answered him, and said, You hypocrite, (for) does not everyone of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass colt from the stall, and lead him away to watering?

 

16 And ought not this woman, who is a daughter of (the seed of) Abraham, whom Satan has bound, as you could see for eighteen years, be loosed from this bondage (brought by death) on the sabbath day?

 

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.

 

18 Then said He, To what is the kingdom of God like? And what shall I compare it to?

 

19 It is like a grain of mustard seed (the smallest of seeds), which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew and turned into a great tree (a tree of righteousness); and the birds of the air lodged in the branches of it.

 

20 And again He said, What shall I compare the kingdom of God?

 

21 It is like leaven (a rising agent), which a woman received and hid inside three measures of meal, until the whole was leavened.

 

22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and (all the while) traveling toward Jerusalem.

 

23 Then said one to Him, Lord, are there few that will be saved? And He said to them,

 

24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate (Christ): for I say to you, many will seek to enter in (elsewhere), and shall not be able (outside of union with Christ).

 

25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and has shut to the door, and you begin to stand outside, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I do not know where you are from:

 

26 Then you shall begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in your presence, and you have taught in our streets.

 

27 But he shall say, I tell you, I do not know you or from where you are from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.

 

28 There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when you shall see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets (who trusted in Christ, the promised seed and not the deadness of their flesh) in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out.

 

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.

 

30 And, behold, there are (some that are now) last (the humble) who shall be first, and there are (some that are now) first (the proud) who shall be last.

 

31 The same day, there came certain of the Pharisees, saying to Him, Get yourself out, and depart here: for Herod will kill you.

 

32 And He said to them, You go and tell that (sly) fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected (victorious over death).

 

33 Nevertheless, I must walk today, and tomorrow, and the day following (and finish My course in Jerusalem): for it cannot be that a prophet perishes outside of Jerusalem.

 

34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you have killed the prophets and stoned them that were sent to you (to repent); how often did I desire to gather your children together, as a hen does gather her chicks under her wings, and you would not allow it!

 

35 Behold, your house (and not the Father’s) has left you desolate (and forsaken): and truly I say to you, You shall not see Me, until the time comes when you shall say, Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.