Luke 13

Repent or Perish

1At that time some people were present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered them, “Do you think these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered these things? 3No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way. 4Or those eighteen people on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them—do you think they were worse offenders than everyone else living in Jerusalem? 5No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”

The Barren Fig Tree

6He told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it and found none. 7He said to the gardener, ‘Look, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and found none. Cut it down. Why should it keep using up the soil?’ 8The gardener answered, ‘Sir, leave it for this year too, until I dig around it and put manure on it. 9If it bears fruit in the future, good. If not, you can cut it down.’”

A Daughter of Abraham Released

10Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11Look—a woman there had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years. She was bent over and completely unable to straighten herself. 12When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said, “Woman, you are released from your infirmity.” 13He laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood straight and began glorifying God. 14But the synagogue ruler was indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. He told the crowd, “There are six days on which people must work. Come on those days and be healed, not on the Sabbath.” 15The Lord answered him, “Hypocrites! Does not each of you untie an ox or donkey from the stall on the Sabbath and lead it away to drink? 16And this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years—should she not be released from this bond on the Sabbath?” 17As he said these things, all his opponents were put to shame, and the whole crowd rejoiced over all the glorious things being done by him.

Mustard Seed and Yeast

18Jesus said, “What is God’s kingdom like? What can I compare it to? 19It is like a mustard seed that a man took and threw into his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky nested in its branches.” 20Again he said, “What can I compare God’s kingdom to? 21It is like yeast that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”

The Narrow Door

22Jesus traveled through towns and villages, teaching as he made his way toward Jerusalem. 23Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” He said to them, 24“Strive to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25Once the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will begin standing outside and knocking, saying, ‘Lord, open for us!’ He will answer, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ 26Then you will begin saying, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Go away from me, all you workers of unrighteousness.’ 28There will be weeping and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s kingdom, but you yourselves thrown outside. 29People will come from east and west, north and south, and recline at the table in God’s kingdom. 30Look—there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.”

Jesus Laments Jerusalem

31At that very hour some Pharisees came and told Jesus, “Leave and go away from here, because Herod wants to kill you.” 32He said to them, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I cast out demons and complete healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I reach completion. 33Nevertheless, I must continue on today, tomorrow, and the following day, because it is not possible for a prophet to perish outside Jerusalem.’ 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children the way a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! 35Look, your house is left to you. I tell you, you will certainly not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’”