Commentary on the Four Gospel Books
The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ
G099 The Lord Jesus Instructs The Disciples – Part 4
Luke 13:1-17

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All New Testament verses quoted in this article are from the English Majority Text Version, and Old Testament verses are from the King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

Luke 13:1-17

1 And some people were present at that very time, reporting to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?

3 Not at all, I tell you; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that these were offenders more than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 Not at all, I tell you; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.

7 Then he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and I haven’t found any. Cut it down; why does it even waste the ground?’

8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

9 And if it produces fruit, fine. But if not, in the coming year, you can cut it down.’ “

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.

11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and she was bent over and was not able to straighten herself up.

12 And seeing her, Jesus called her to Him and said, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”

13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and was glorifying God.

14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, “There are six days in which one should work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”

15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?

16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, these eighteen years, should she not be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”

17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things which were done by Him.

In this lesson, we will continue with the fourth part of the Lord Jesus’ teachings to His disciples on the eastern bank of the Jordan River. It concerns the fact that a person’s lifespan is not related to whether they commit many or few sins; that a life that bears no fruit according to God’s will shall soon be ended; and that the Lord Jesus once again healed on the Sabbath day.

Luke 13:1-3

1 And some people were present at that very time, reporting to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?

3 Not at all, I tell you; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

While the Lord Jesus was teaching the crowd following Him, some people in the multitude spoke up and told Him about the incident in which Governor Pilate killed some Galileans and mixed their blood with the sacrifices they had brought to offer to the God.

Apart from Luke, no other place in Scripture or extra-biblical records mentions the two events that Luke recorded in Luke 13:1–4.

Regarding the first event, Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor ruling over Judea from the year 26 to 36. The passage of Scripture we are studying records an event that happened about one or two months before the Passover of the year 27, so Pilate’s killing of the Galileans likely took place within the year prior. According to the historian Josephus, Governor Pilate was notoriously cruel and frequently caused conflicts with the Jews. Early in his term, Pilate had ordered soldiers disguised with daggers to mix into the crowds [1]. It is possible that a group of Jews from Galilee had come to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices and were part of the Galilean movement that opposed paying taxes to Rome, led by a man named Judas (Acts 5:37). For this reason, Pilate ordered their massacre right in the Temple courtyard, disregarding the defilement such bloodshed would bring upon the holy place. The massacre caused their blood to be mingled with the sacrifices they had brought to offer in the Temple.

We do not know what the intention of those who reported this event to the Lord Jesus was. Perhaps they sought to stir up a spirit of resistance against Rome and hoped that the Lord Jesus would rise up and lead the people of Israel to overthrow Roman rule.

However, the Lord Jesus neither defended nor condemned Pilate’s actions. He did not speak of politics or suggest that those who had been killed were more sinful than others. Instead, He warned everyone to repent of their sins, or else they would likewise perish.

The phrase “likewise perish” in verse 3 and verse 5 does not imply that the Galileans killed by Pilate and the people crushed by the tower of Siloam perished because they sinned without repenting. For in the Lord Jesus’ words, it is implied that their deaths were not due to them being more seriously or more frequently sinful than others. They died because of persecution or because of an accident. However, the death of the physical body, in general, is a consequence of mankind’s sin. That death leads to eternal perdition—that is, eternal separation from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (2 Thessalonians 1:9), which the Scripture calls the second death. Therefore, anyone who does not repent will perish eternally.

What is fearful is that nowadays, many people believe in the God, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in the Scriptures but are unwilling to repent of their sins. They participate in Church life, and some even hold offices in the Church, yet secretly live in sin to satisfy the unlawful desires of the flesh. When we read 2 Peter chapter 2 and Revelation chapter 2 and chapter 3, we see that there are many people who commit serious sins within the Church. The Church must strictly address sin within itself in order to preserve holiness in the Church.

Luke 13:4-5

4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that these were offenders more than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 Not at all, I tell you; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

Regarding the second event, the Tower of Siloam was located near the Pool of Siloam, a water supply structure in Jerusalem, with the tower having been built during the time of King Hezekiah. The Pool of Siloam was about 700–800 meters from the Temple. The collapse of the tower may have been due to poor construction, an earthquake, or an accident. It was an accident, unrelated to the sins of the victims. The Lord Jesus did not acknowledge that the victims were more sinful than others. He also warned everyone to repent, or else they would perish.

Through the Lord Jesus’ words about these two events, He affirmed that those who died tragically in certain incidents were not more sinful than others. Therefore, we can understand that the life and death of each person are entirely under the sovereign rule of the God.

Some people sin much and grievously, yet eventually come to repentance and become instruments for good works in the God’s hand, like the Apostle Paul. Some sin a little, but the God takes their lives immediately, like the couple Ananias and Sapphira—perhaps because the God knows they will not repent and will continue to sin, causing great harm to others. There are also those who are exceedingly wicked, harming many people, yet live long in wealth and power, like many cruel and dictatorial leaders. That is because they are being used by the God for His purposes in this world.

Through the Holy Scriptures, we know that each person’s lifespan has been predetermined by the God:

“Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass.” (Job 14:5)

“Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:16)

This means that from a fetus that dies in the womb to a person who lives over a hundred years, it is all by the permission of the God. Why do some die young while others live long? Why do some live in hardship and lack, while others live in wealth and abundance? And why do the wicked often prosper and live longer than the righteous? The Holy Scriptures also mention these seemingly paradoxical matters (Job 21:7–13; Psalm 73:3–12; Ecclesiastes 8:10, 14). All such questions will be answered on the day of final judgment. At that time, all humanity will be able to clearly see the connection, interaction, and consequence of every action—whether good or evil—according to the permission of the God, within His plan and purpose for mankind. Yet each person will be accountable for every deed because each one has been given the freedom to choose by the God.

While we are still living in this decaying, fleshly body, there are many things that our minds cannot understand. For the ways of the God are higher than our thoughts:

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

What is important for each person is to truly repent of their sins as soon as possible, fully believe in the atoning death of the Lord Jesus Christ, and wholeheartedly obey the commandments of the God, as recorded in the Holy Scriptures, in order not to perish.

Luke 13:6-9

6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and found none.

7 Then he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and I haven’t found any. Cut it down; why does it even waste the ground?’

8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

9 And if it produces fruit, fine. But if not, in the coming year, you can cut it down.’ “

Following His call for everyone to repent, the Lord Jesus gave a parable about a fig tree planted in a vineyard that had not borne fruit for three years. The owner of the vineyard ordered the gardener to cut it down so that it would not take up space uselessly. The gardener pleaded with the owner to give it one more year and promised to fertilize it; if it still did not bear fruit, then it would be cut down.

The owner of the vineyard represents the God. He gives mankind opportunities and means to live a holy life, bearing much fruit of righteousness for Him. But if anyone remains unfruitful, they will face strict judgment and be removed from the Heavenly Kingdom.

The gardener represents the Lord Jesus. He cares for and teaches each person. He intercedes with the God for more time and opportunity for those who live unfruitful lives.

The barren fig tree represents the people of Israel or anyone who believes in the God but, despite being given opportunities and means by Him, still fails to bear fruit that pleases Him.

The lesson for us is that we must examine ourselves to see whether we are like the fig tree that has gone many years without bearing fruit. What is the fruit in our lives?

Luke 13:10-11

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.

11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and she was bent over and was not able to straighten herself up.

At the time of the events recorded by Luke in chapter 13, the Lord Jesus was traveling along the eastern bank of the Jordan River on His way back to the city of Jerusalem. On the Sabbath day, He stopped by a synagogue to preach to those who came there to pray and listen to the Word of God.

Among those attending the gathering was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years. Her back was bent, so she could not straighten herself up. The phrase “a spirit of infirmity” implies that her illness was caused by an evil spirit. The condition of her bent back forced her to be hunched over, unable to lift her head. We do not know how old she was, only that she had been suffering from the condition for eighteen years.

In reality, many illnesses are caused by evil spirits—that is, demons—inflicting harm on mankind. The purpose of demons is to bring pain, humiliation, and rebellion against the God, in order to grieve Him. For the God greatly loves mankind and will give His inheritance to them. Demons attack human beings in hopes that the number of those appointed by the God to be saved will not be fulfilled quickly, thereby delaying the judgment the God has prepared for them.

Because when the full number of the saved is reached, the God will destroy the old heaven and old earth, and He will imprison all the angels who rebelled against Him, all those who rebelled against Him, along with all suffering and death, in the eternal lake of fire. Then, the God will establish a new heaven and a new earth with the Everlasting Kingdom. The angels and human beings who are faithful to Him will dwell forever in peace and joy in the Heavenly Kingdom with the Triune God.

Luke 13:12-13

12 And seeing her, Jesus called her to Him and said, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”

13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and was glorifying God.

While the Lord Jesus was preaching the Word of God, He saw the woman who was bent over. He knew clearly that she was controlled and tormented by a demon. He called her and said to her that she had been freed from her illness.

The woman’s healing was by the will of the Lord Jesus. He wanted her to be freed from her sickness. He wanted her to be healed, so she was healed. She was healed even before the Lord laid His hands on her. The laying on of His hands was probably to give her strength so she could recognize the change in her body. Because of that, she was able to stand up straight by herself and praise the God aloud.

Praising the God always results spontaneously from the blessings He gives to mankind. The more wholeheartedly God’s people praise and thank Him, the more blessings they receive from Him. The entire life of those who trust and are grateful to the God will always experience grace upon grace (John 1:16). For the God’s will toward His people is that they always be thankful to Him, praise Him, and give thanks to Him (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:16-17; Hebrews 13:15).

One of the joys in life is to memorize songs of praise to the God in order to sing and glorify Him everywhere and at all times. Today, with the convenience of mobile phones and music players, anyone can store hymns and carry them along to listen and sing along [2], [3].

Luke 13:14-15

14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, “There are six days in which one should work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”

15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?

In the time of the Lord Jesus, the synagogue ruler was the person entrusted by the local people with authority over the synagogue. He arranged the meeting programs, invited teachers to preach, selected the Scripture passages to be read during gatherings, and guided the prayer and praise rituals. The synagogue ruler was also responsible for maintaining order and enforcing discipline within the synagogue.

When he saw the woman healed during the Sabbath gathering, he became angry. According to the laws of Judaism, healing on the Sabbath was not permitted.

It is possible that the synagogue ruler knew the reputation of the Lord Jesus and invited Him to teach the Word of God, but he did not want healing to take place in the synagogue on the Sabbath. He did not blame the Lord as the healer but was angry and told the crowd not to come seeking healing on the Sabbath.

The Lord Jesus immediately rebuked the synagogue ruler, calling him a “hypocrite.” It wasn’t only the synagogue ruler but anyone who, following Judaism, did not accept healing on the Sabbath who was a hypocrite. Because while the Jewish law forbade healing on the Sabbath, it allowed leading livestock out of their pens to give them water. Humans were created in the image and likeness of God, having greater value than animals and given dominion over them, yet the needs of animals were met on the Sabbath while the needs of humans were denied—using the excuse of avoiding work—that was hypocrisy.

Luke 13:16-17

16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, lo, these eighteen years, should she not be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”

17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things which were done by Him.

The Lord Jesus called the woman the daughter of Abraham, implying that she was an Israelite. He affirmed that her bent back for eighteen years was caused by Satan.

When the Lord Jesus compared the allowance of leading livestock out of their pens to drink water on the Sabbath with the prohibition of healing the bent back caused by the devil for eighteen years of one of Abraham’s descendants, the people immediately saw the absurdity of the Jewish laws, which were man-made. Therefore, all who opposed the Lord Jesus were ashamed. The people rejoiced because everything the Lord Jesus did revealed the glory of God—His love, holiness, and righteousness toward humanity.

God’s law expresses love, holiness, and righteousness. Misunderstanding God’s law leads to doctrines that oppose the spirit of the law. God’s law is not a burden but a joy for life. Psalm 119 is proof of the blessings that God’s law and commandments bring to humanity. God’s law is worthy of each person’s affection, reverence, and obedience.

We conclude this lesson here.

May the Holy Spirit guide us into all the truths of God’s Word (John 16:13). May the Word of God sanctify us (John 17:17). May the Faithful *God of Peace Himself sanctify our spirit, soul, and body entirely, without blame (1 Thessalonians 5:23), at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Beloved Savior. Amen!

Timothy Christian Huynh
Priscilla Christian Huynh
02/15/2025

Notes:

[1] “Jewish Antiquities” 18.3.2 and “The Jewish War” II. 9, § 4.

[2] https://preachingfromthebible.net/karaoke/

[3] https://soundcloud.com/huynh-christian-timothy/sets/christian-karaoke

About Using “*God”, “the God” and “holy spirit”

Wherever the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts of the Bible use a definite article with a noun to denote GOD, we translate it into English as *God or “the God” to refer to God the Father. We understand that “God,” without a definite article, was used as a collective noun for all and any of the three Persons of the Godhead. And “God,” with a definite article, was used to refer to God the Father.

In the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, the term “holy spirit” (πνευματι αγιω) without the definite article “the” (το) is used to denote the power of God, which is given by God the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit” (το πνευματι το αγιω) is God, and “holy spirit” (πνευματι αγιω) is the power that comes from God.