Luke 13:1

¶ There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

{G1161} There were present {G3918} at {G1722} that season {G846}{G2540} some {G5100} that told {G518} him {G846} of {G4012} the Galilaeans {G1057}, whose {G3739} blood {G129} Pilate {G4091} had mingled {G3396} with {G3326} their {G846} sacrifices {G2378}.

Just then, some people came to tell Yeshua about the men from the Galil whom Pilate had slaughtered even while they were slaughtering animals for sacrifice.

At that time some of those present told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

Commentary

Luke 13:1 introduces a somber scene, setting the stage for Jesus' profound teaching on repentance and divine judgment. People present at that time approached Jesus with news of a tragic incident involving Galilaeans who had been brutally killed by Pontius Pilate.

Historical and Cultural Context

The report concerns an act of extreme brutality by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, against Jewish worshippers. The phrase "whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices" vividly describes a massacre that occurred while these Galilaeans were performing religious sacrifices, likely in or near the Temple in Jerusalem. This was not only a violent act but also a profound sacrilege, mixing the blood of innocent worshippers with the blood of their sacrificial animals, a defilement of sacred ritual.

  • Galilaeans: Hailing from Galilee, a region known for its fervent Jewish nationalism and occasional resistance to Roman rule. This may have made them particular targets for Pilate's harsh methods.
  • Pontius Pilate: The Roman prefect of Judea (c. AD 26-36) was infamous for his cruelty, insensitivity to Jewish customs, and readiness to use force. This incident, though not recorded elsewhere in detail, is consistent with his historical character.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Misconceptions about Suffering: The people bringing the news likely sought an explanation, perhaps assuming these Galilaeans suffered because they were exceptionally sinful. Jesus directly challenges this common misconception in Luke 13:2-5, emphasizing that such calamities do not necessarily indicate greater sinfulness in the victims.
  • The Urgency of Repentance: Rather than dwelling on the victims' supposed sins, Jesus pivots the discussion to the universal need for repentance for all people. He warns that unless individuals repent, they too will perish, whether through similar tragic events or divine judgment.
  • Divine Patience and Impending Judgment: The incident serves as a stark reminder of life's fragility and the importance of being spiritually prepared. Jesus follows this warning with the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (Luke 13:6-9), illustrating God's patience but also the certainty of judgment for those who do not bear fruit.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "mingled" is mignumi (μίγνυμι), which means to mix or blend. Its use here powerfully conveys the horrific scene of human blood literally contaminating the sacred sacrificial offerings, a gruesome act designed to shock and desecrate.

Practical Application

This verse, and Jesus' response to it, holds enduring relevance:

  1. Avoid Judgmental Assumptions: We should resist the temptation to assume that those who suffer misfortune are necessarily more sinful than others.
  2. Focus on Personal Readiness: Instead of scrutinizing the spiritual state of victims, we are called to examine our own hearts and ensure we are living in a state of repentance and obedience to God.
  3. Embrace the Call to Repentance: Life is uncertain, and the call to repent is urgent. Jesus' message is a timeless reminder that spiritual preparedness is paramount.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Peter 4:17

    For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

  • 1 Peter 4:18

    And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

  • Lamentations 2:20

    Behold, O LORD, and consider to whom thou hast done this. Shall the women eat their fruit, [and] children of a span long? shall the priest and the prophet be slain in the sanctuary of the Lord?

  • Ezekiel 9:5

    ¶ And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity:

  • Ezekiel 9:7

    And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city.

  • Acts 5:37

    After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, [even] as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

  • Matthew 27:2

    And when they had bound him, they led [him] away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
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