Luke 13:31

KJV

¶ The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

The same {G1722}{G846} day {G2250} there came {G4334} certain {G5100} of the Pharisees {G5330}, saying {G3004} unto him {G846}, Get thee out {G1831}, and {G2532} depart {G4198} hence {G1782}: for {G3754} Herod {G2264} will {G2309} kill {G615} thee {G4571}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Just at that moment, some P’rushim came up and said to Yeshua, “Get out and go away from here, because Herod wants to kill you!”

Berean Standard Bible

At that very hour, some Pharisees came to Jesus and told Him, “Leave this place and get away, because Herod wants to kill You.”

American Standard Version

In that very hour there came certain Pharisees, saying to him, Get thee out, and go hence: for Herod would fain kill thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 13:31 records a critical encounter where certain Pharisees approach Jesus, delivering an urgent warning or veiled threat that Herod Antipas intends to kill Him. This pivotal moment underscores the escalating opposition Jesus faced from both religious and political authorities, revealing His unwavering resolve to fulfill His divine mission in Jerusalem, unswayed by human intimidation or schemes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a significant section of Luke's Gospel (often called the "Travel Narrative" or "Journey to Jerusalem," [Luke 9:51-19:27](/luke/9-51-19-27 "Luke's Travel Narrative - Jesus's Journey to Jerusalem")), which emphasizes Jesus's resolute movement towards Jerusalem, where His ultimate suffering and glorification would occur. Immediately preceding this warning, Jesus has been teaching about the [narrow door to salvation](/luke/13-24 "Luke 13:24 - The Narrow Door") and the surprising reversal of roles in the Kingdom of God, where many "first" will be "last" and "last" will be "first" ([Luke 13:29-30](/luke/13-29-30 "Luke 13:29-30 - Many Will Come from East and West")). The Pharisees' intervention interrupts this teaching, highlighting the real-world dangers Jesus faced as His message gained traction and challenged established powers. Jesus's subsequent response ([Luke 13:32-33](/luke/13-32-33 "Luke 13:32-33 - Jesus's Response to Herod's Threat")) directly addresses the threat and reinforces His divine timetable for His ministry and passion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this time, Jesus was ministering in Perea, a region east of the Jordan River, which was part of the tetrarchy of Herod Antipas. Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, was a notoriously paranoid and ruthless ruler, known for his political maneuvering and cruelty. He had previously imprisoned and executed John the Baptist ([Luke 3:19-20](/luke/3-19-20 "Luke 3:19-20 - Herod Imprisons John the Baptist")), a prophet whose popularity he perceived as a threat. The Pharisees, while often in theological opposition to Jesus, might have had complex motives here: genuine concern for Jesus's safety (unlikely given their usual antagonism), a desire to avoid a confrontation between Jesus and Herod within their territory, or a strategic attempt to push Jesus out of Perea and into Judea, where the Jerusalem-based religious authorities had more direct control and could more easily orchestrate His downfall. The political landscape was volatile, with Roman oversight and local rulers like Herod constantly wary of any figure who might incite popular unrest or challenge their authority.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 13:31 contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty** versus human opposition; despite the threats, Jesus remains in control of His destiny, operating on God's timetable. Secondly, it highlights the **escalating opposition** Jesus faced from both religious (Pharisees) and political (Herod) authorities, foreshadowing the ultimate conflict that would lead to His crucifixion in Jerusalem. Thirdly, it reinforces Jesus's **prophetic identity** and His unwavering commitment to His mission, even in the face of mortal danger. This aligns with Luke's emphasis on Jesus's resolute journey to Jerusalem, a journey of suffering and fulfillment ([Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")). Finally, it subtly touches on the **nature of true discipleship**, implying that following Jesus often involves facing opposition and trusting in God's protection rather than human schemes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **day (Greek, _hēméra'_):** From the Strong's G2250, this word signifies "the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours." Figuratively, it can denote a "period" defined by context. In Luke 13:31, "The same day" connects the warning directly to Jesus's preceding teachings and actions, indicating an immediate and pressing development in His ministry, emphasizing the continuity of events and the sudden intrusion of this threat.
* **Get thee out (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** Derived from G1831, meaning "to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad." This imperative verb conveys an urgent command for Jesus to leave the area immediately. It underscores the perceived danger or the Pharisees' strong desire for Jesus's swift departure from Herod's jurisdiction, suggesting a forced expulsion rather than a polite request.
* **kill (Greek, _apokteínō'_):** From G615, meaning "to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy." This stark and unambiguous verb communicates the ultimate and most severe form of threat. It leaves no room for misinterpretation regarding Herod's alleged intention, emphasizing the mortal danger Jesus was supposedly in and the gravity of the warning delivered by the Pharisees.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him":** This opening clause establishes the timing and the unexpected source of the warning. "The same day" links this event directly to Jesus's recent teachings on the narrow door and the Kingdom of God, suggesting that His powerful message and growing influence were directly provoking a response from religious authorities. The "certain of the Pharisees" indicates a delegation, perhaps official, highlighting the seriousness of their message, whether it was genuine concern or a manipulative tactic. Their direct address "unto him" signifies a confrontation or a formal communication.
* **"Get thee out, and depart hence":** This is a double imperative, conveying extreme urgency and a forceful command for Jesus to leave the region. "Get thee out" (exelthe) emphasizes immediate exit, while "depart hence" (poreuou enteuthen) reinforces the idea of removing oneself from that specific location. The repetition underscores the perceived gravity of the situation or the Pharisees' strong desire for Jesus's swift removal from Herod's territory. It frames the message as an ultimatum.
* **"for Herod will kill thee":** This final clause provides the justification for the urgent command. It names Herod Antipas as the source of the threat, linking Jesus's perceived danger to a specific, powerful, and notoriously ruthless political ruler. The direct accusation that Herod "will kill thee" is a stark, unambiguous declaration of mortal intent, designed to instill fear and compel Jesus's immediate flight. This statement sets the stage for Jesus's remarkable and sovereign response in the subsequent verses.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 13:31 employs several literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the threat from Herod Antipas anticipates the ultimate political and religious conspiracy that will lead to Jesus's crucifixion in Jerusalem. Herod's prior execution of John the Baptist ([Luke 9:7-9](/luke/9-7-9 "Luke 9:7-9 - Herod's Perplexity about Jesus")) serves as a grim precedent, making the threat against Jesus credible and intensifying the sense of impending danger. There is also a subtle **Irony** in the Pharisees delivering this warning; while they often sought to trap or discredit Jesus, here they appear to be "helping" Him, though their motives are deeply ambiguous. This creates **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader knows Jesus's divine mission and ultimate destiny are not subject to Herod's will, nor will He be swayed by human threats, a truth the Pharisees (and perhaps Herod) do not fully grasp. Herod himself functions as a **Symbol** of the worldly power and political opposition that consistently sought to suppress God's redemptive plan, yet ultimately proved powerless against divine sovereignty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 13:31 powerfully illustrates the constant tension between divine sovereignty and human agency, particularly the opposition faced by God's anointed one. Despite the very real threat from a ruthless ruler like Herod, Jesus's response in the following verses demonstrates His unwavering commitment to His Father's will and His predetermined path to Jerusalem. This incident underscores that God's plan cannot be thwarted by human schemes or political power. It reminds us that faithful obedience to God often invites hostility from the world, yet God's purposes will ultimately prevail, even through suffering and apparent defeat. The warning from the Pharisees, regardless of their true motives, ultimately serves to highlight Jesus's divine control over His own destiny, contrasting sharply with the vulnerability of earthly figures.

* [Psalm 2:4](/psalms/2-4 "Psalm 2:4 - The Lord Laughs at the Kings of the Earth")
* [Acts 4:27-28](/acts/4-27-28 "Acts 4:27-28 - God's Sovereign Plan for Jesus's Death")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 13:31 serves as a profound reminder that faithfully pursuing God's call will often lead to opposition, threats, and attempts to derail our divine purpose. Like Jesus, we are called to discern the true motives behind warnings or advice, especially when they encourage us to deviate from God's revealed will. This passage challenges us to cultivate an unwavering trust in God's sovereign timing and protection, rather than succumbing to fear or the schemes of others. It encourages a steadfast resolve to complete the work God has given us, knowing that our ultimate safety and success rest not in avoiding conflict, but in obediently walking the path He has set before us, even if it leads through hardship. Our lives, like Christ's, are ultimately in God's hands, and no human power can thwart His perfect plan for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when faced with opposition or threats while seeking to live out my faith?**
* **What are some "Herods" or "Pharisees" in my life that might try to deter me from God's will, either through direct opposition or subtle manipulation?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereign timing and protection, even when circumstances seem dangerous or uncertain?**
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to a "Jerusalem" – a place of sacrifice or difficult obedience – rather than allowing me to "depart hence"?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Pharisees warn Jesus about Herod?**

Answer: The motives of the Pharisees in Luke 13:31 are debated by scholars. While it's possible a few individuals genuinely wished to warn Jesus, given their typical antagonism towards Him, it's more likely their motives were complex and self-serving. They might have wanted to avoid a direct confrontation between Jesus and Herod in their territory, fearing the political repercussions for themselves or for Judea. Alternatively, they could have been trying to manipulate Jesus into leaving Perea and heading towards Jerusalem, where the Sanhedrin and other religious authorities had more control and could more easily orchestrate His arrest and trial. It's also possible they sought to intimidate Him, hoping He would flee and cease His ministry, which challenged their authority and teachings. Jesus's response in [Luke 13:32-33](/luke/13-32-33 "Luke 13:32-33 - Jesus's Response to the Threat") suggests He saw through any manipulative intent, affirming His divine timetable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 13:31, with its stark warning from the Pharisees about Herod's intent to kill Jesus, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in Jesus fleeing, but in His resolute journey towards Jerusalem, the very place of His ultimate sacrifice. Herod's threat, a manifestation of worldly power and human hostility against God's anointed, ultimately proved futile against the sovereign will of the Father. Jesus's response in [Luke 13:32-33](/luke/13-32-33 "Luke 13:32-33 - Jesus's Unwavering Resolve") declares His divine timetable ("today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected"), indicating that His life was not subject to Herod's whims but to God's predetermined plan. This foreshadows His atoning death on the cross, which was not a tragic accident or a defeat at the hands of human authorities, but the very purpose for which He came. As the Lamb of God, He willingly laid down His life ([John 10:18](/john/10-18 "John 10:18 - Jesus Lays Down His Life Willingly")), fulfilling the prophecies of suffering and redemption. The "kill" spoken of by the Pharisees would indeed occur, but it would be the means by which Christ would conquer sin and death, establishing His eternal Kingdom and offering salvation to all who believe. Thus, the threat against Jesus's life ultimately points to the cross, the pinnacle of His redemptive work and the demonstration of His ultimate victory over all earthly powers and spiritual darkness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 6:9

For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, [O God], strengthen my hands.

Nehemiah 6:11

And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who [is there], that, [being] as I [am], would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.

Psalms 11:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee [as] a bird to your mountain?

Psalms 11:2

For, lo, the wicked bend [their] bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

Amos 7:12

Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:

Amos 7:13

But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it [is] the king's chapel, and it [is] the king's court.

Matthew 14:1

¶ At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,