An examination of Luke 13:1

In Luke 13:1, Jesus is discussing repentance. Someone asked a question in Luke 12:13 and Jesus taught them without an application. In the beginning of the next chapter, Jesus makes the application. The incident in vs. 1 is recorded nowhere else for us in the New Testament. However, it is in harmony with the outrages that Pilate had committed. He had charges of violence, robbery, persecutions, wanton malicious insults, judicial murders without due process of law, and cruelty brought against his administration.

Apparently, these Galileans where at a feast in Jerusalem where they may have been involved in some insurrection against the Roman government. Whatever the circumstance, Pilate had them slain right in the courts of the temple where they were offering sacrifices. The figurative language of the Bible says that the “blood had mingled with their sacrifices.” Jesus continued on to teach that the Galileans had not been punished for some special sin against God. The Lord was instructing them that all people needed to repent, not just those who had a certain calamity befall them.

Repentance is defined as a change of mind, arising from the conviction that we have done wrong and forsaking all sin in heart and in practice (Acts 3:19). It has been translated “to perceive afterwards.” Man has a stubborn will which is the seat of rebellion against God. When someone repents, they not only abandon sin, but they also turn to God (Acts 11:19-21; 26:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Repentance produces good fruits (Matthew 3:8).

The scribes and Pharisees were being judged harshly because they refused to repent under the preaching of the Son of God, while a prophet of God went to a heathen country and convinced them to repent (Matthew 12:41). This blog attempts to preach the Son of God. Just because it’s being read online does not mean the message has any less power. The command for all men everywhere is to repent (Acts 17:30). Have you done it?

Kyle Campbell