Luke 13:32

KJV

And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third [day] I shall be perfected.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Go ye {G4198}, and tell {G2036} that {G5026} fox {G258}, Behold {G2400}, I cast out {G1544} devils {G1140}, and {G2532} I do {G2005} cures {G2392} to day {G4594} and {G2532} to morrow {G839}, and {G2532} the third {G5154} day I shall be perfected {G5048}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Pay attention: today and tomorrow I am driving out demons and healing people, and on the third day I reach my goal.’

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’

American Standard Version

And he said unto them, Go and say to that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I am perfected.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 13:32 captures Jesus' resolute and prophetic declaration in response to a warning about Herod Antipas's desire to kill Him. In this powerful statement, Jesus asserts His divine authority and unwavering commitment to complete His ministry of healing and exorcism, culminating in His "perfection"—a clear foreshadowing of His crucifixion and resurrection on the third day, thereby bringing His redemptive mission to its divinely appointed climax.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a period of escalating tension in Jesus' ministry as He journeys towards Jerusalem, a journey often referred to as His "travel narrative" in Luke (Luke 9:51-19:27). Immediately preceding this verse, some Pharisees approach Jesus, delivering a warning that Herod Antipas intends to kill Him [Luke 13:31](/luke/13-31 "Luke 13:31 - Pharisees Warn Jesus About Herod"). While the Pharisees' motives for this warning are debated (perhaps genuine concern, or a subtle attempt to intimidate Jesus out of Galilee), Jesus' response is unequivocal. He does not flee but sends a message back to Herod through these intermediaries, asserting His sovereign control over His destiny and mission, contrasting sharply with the political machinations of earthly rulers. This passage highlights Jesus' steadfast focus on His divine timetable rather than human threats.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Herod Antipas was the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, ruling during Jesus' ministry. He was known for his cunning, political maneuvering, and moral depravity, most notably his role in the execution of John the Baptist [Luke 3:19-20](/luke/3-19-20 "Luke 3:19-20 - Herod Imprisons John the Baptist"). In Jewish culture, the fox was often a symbol of slyness, treachery, and insignificance, rather than strength or nobility. By calling Herod "that fox," Jesus dismisses Herod's perceived power and cunning as ultimately ineffectual against God's sovereign plan. This epithet also highlights Herod's deceptive nature, as he might have been trying to manipulate Jesus, much like a fox uses cunning to achieve its ends. The reference to "to day and to morrow, and the third day" also subtly alludes to a common Jewish idiom for a short, definite period, reinforcing Jesus' control over His timeline.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 13:32 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores **Jesus' absolute authority and fearlessness** in the face of human opposition, demonstrating His divine sovereignty over His life and ministry. He is not deterred by threats from earthly rulers, but rather confidently declares His continued work. Secondly, the passage highlights the **unwavering nature of Jesus' divine mission**, emphasizing that His ministry of liberation (casting out demons) and healing (doing cures) will proceed according to God's plan, regardless of human interference. This is a recurring theme throughout Luke, showcasing Jesus' power over spiritual and physical ailments, as seen in passages like [Luke 4:40-41](/luke/4-40-41 "Luke 4:40-41 - Jesus Heals Many and Casts Out Demons"). Finally, the phrase "the third day I shall be perfected" serves as a profound **prophecy of His suffering and glorification**, directly linking His ongoing ministry to its ultimate culmination in His death and resurrection. This theme of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem and His impending suffering is central to Luke's narrative (e.g., [Luke 9:51](/luke/9-51 "Luke 9:51 - Jesus Sets His Face Toward Jerusalem")), portraying His path as divinely appointed and necessary for the fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **fox (Greek, _alṓpēx'_):** (G258) Jesus' use of "fox" for Herod Antipas is a potent **metaphor**. In ancient Near Eastern and Jewish culture, a fox was not typically a symbol of regal power or strength, but rather of cunning, slyness, and often, destructive but ultimately minor influence. It can also imply insignificance or a lack of true power, suggesting that Herod's schemes are ultimately futile and contemptible in the face of God's sovereign will. Jesus' choice of this term is dismissive yet accurate, portraying Herod as a devious but ultimately ineffectual ruler compared to the divine authority of the Son of God.
* **cast out (Greek, _ekbállō'_):** (G1544) This verb signifies a forceful and decisive ejection or expulsion. When Jesus declares, "I cast out devils," it emphasizes His active, authoritative power over demonic forces. It is not a gentle persuasion but a commanding act of liberation, demonstrating His divine prerogative and the breaking of Satan's dominion. This term highlights the confrontational and victorious nature of Jesus' ministry against the powers of darkness.
* **perfected (Greek, _teleióō'_):** (G5048) This crucial word means "to complete," "to accomplish," "to fulfill," or "to bring to an intended goal." In this context, it does not imply moral improvement for Jesus, but rather the culmination and successful completion of His earthly mission. This "perfection" unmistakably points to His impending suffering, death, and subsequent resurrection on the third day. His redemptive work would be brought to its glorious and divinely appointed fulfillment through these events, making Him the perfect High Priest and the perfect sacrifice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox,"**: Jesus' direct and defiant message to Herod Antipas, delivered through the Pharisees. This opening clause establishes Jesus' unyielding resolve and His dismissive attitude towards Herod's perceived threat, asserting His authority and control over His own movements and ministry.
* **"Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow,"**: Jesus declares His unwavering commitment to His ongoing ministry of liberation and healing. "To day and to morrow" signifies a short, definite period, emphasizing that His work will continue according to His divine schedule, undeterred by human opposition or threats. This statement underscores His power and the continuation of His mission.
* **"and the third [day] I shall be perfected."**: This is a profound prophetic statement. "The third day" clearly points to His resurrection, and "perfected" (Greek: _teleióō_) signifies the culmination and completion of His redemptive mission through His suffering, death, and resurrection. This clause reveals Jesus' full awareness of His destiny and His willingness to embrace the path of suffering to achieve God's ultimate purpose for humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 13:32 is rich with literary artistry that enhances its theological impact. The most prominent device is **Metaphor**, specifically Jesus' labeling of Herod Antipas as "that fox." This is not a literal description but a symbolic one, conveying Herod's cunning, slyness, and ultimately, his lack of true power or nobility in the face of God's plan. It serves as a dismissive and derogatory epithet, stripping Herod of any perceived grandeur. Another significant device is **Prophecy**, as Jesus explicitly foretells His death and resurrection with the phrase "the third day I shall be perfected." This is a direct, future-oriented statement of divine foreknowledge and control, framing His suffering not as a defeat but as the necessary means to achieve His ultimate purpose. There is also an element of **Irony** in the passage: Herod, in his cunning, seeks to kill Jesus, yet Jesus declares that this very path will lead to His "perfection" or the glorious completion of His mission, turning Herod's malevolent intent into an unwitting instrument of God's redemptive plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 13:32 powerfully encapsulates Jesus' divine sovereignty, His unwavering commitment to the Father's will, and the paradoxical nature of His "perfection" through suffering. It highlights that no earthly power, however cunning or threatening, can thwart God's ultimate plan. Jesus' confident declaration of continuing His ministry of casting out demons and healing, followed by His "perfection" on the third day, reveals that His path to glory is inextricably linked to His suffering and death. This "perfection" is not about moral improvement but about the fulfillment of His redemptive mission, making Him the perfect sacrifice and the perfect High Priest. It underscores the theological truth that God's purposes are accomplished not always through conventional strength, but often through apparent weakness and self-sacrifice, leading to ultimate triumph.

* [Luke 9:22](/luke/9-22 "Luke 9:22 - Jesus Foretells His Suffering and Resurrection")
* [Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Christ Perfected Through Suffering")
* [Hebrews 5:8-9](/hebrews/5-8-9 "Hebrews 5:8-9 - Jesus Learned Obedience and Was Made Perfect")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 13:32 offers profound lessons for believers navigating a world often hostile to God's purposes. Jesus' example teaches us to cultivate an unwavering commitment to our divine calling, even when faced with intimidation, opposition, or threats from those in power. His dismissive attitude towards Herod reminds us that earthly rulers, however cunning or influential, are ultimately limited in their ability to thwart God's sovereign plan. Our focus should remain on faithfully executing the tasks God has set before us, trusting in His perfect timing and ultimate victory. Furthermore, Jesus' declaration of being "perfected" through suffering challenges our often-superficial understanding of success and completion. It reminds us that trials, difficulties, and even sacrifice can be integral to God's process of bringing us to spiritual maturity and fulfilling His purposes in our lives. We are called to embrace the path of obedience, knowing that even through hardship, God is at work, perfecting His will in and through us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' fearless response to Herod inspire you to face opposition when pursuing God's will?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be allowing "foxes" (cunning or seemingly powerful obstacles) to deter you from your divine purpose?**
* **How does the concept of Jesus being "perfected" through suffering reshape your understanding of personal growth and God's plan for your life?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus call Herod Antipas a "fox"?**

Answer: Jesus called Herod Antipas a "fox" (Greek: _alṓpēx_) not as a compliment, but as a dismissive and symbolic insult. In ancient Jewish culture, a fox was often associated with cunning, slyness, treachery, and ultimately, insignificance or destructive but minor influence. By using this term, Jesus was likely highlighting Herod's deceptive and manipulative character, his lack of true power or nobility, and his ultimate inability to thwart God's sovereign plan. It was a way of saying that Herod, despite his political position and threats, was ultimately a minor player in the grand scheme of God's redemptive history, unable to derail Jesus' divinely appointed mission.

**What does "the third day I shall be perfected" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "the third day I shall be perfected" (Greek: _teleióō_) is a profound prophetic statement that refers to the culmination of Jesus' earthly mission, specifically His death and resurrection. It does not mean that Jesus needed moral improvement, but rather that He would be brought to His intended goal or fulfillment. This "perfection" signifies the completion of His redemptive work through His suffering on the cross and His glorious resurrection on the third day. It underscores that His journey to Jerusalem, His suffering, and His death were not accidental or a defeat, but the divinely appointed means by which God's plan of salvation would be brought to its ultimate and perfect conclusion. This concept of being "perfected" through suffering is also echoed in [Hebrews 2:10](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Christ Perfected Through Suffering"), where it speaks of God making the "author of their salvation perfect through suffering."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 13:32 powerfully foreshadows the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Jesus' declaration of continuing His ministry of casting out devils and doing cures points to His ultimate victory over the powers of darkness and disease, which finds its full realization in His atoning work. His unwavering commitment to His mission, despite Herod's threats, perfectly exemplifies His obedience to the Father's will, even to the point of death [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death"). The climactic phrase, "the third day I shall be perfected," is the very heart of the Gospel. This "perfection" (Greek: _teleióō_) through suffering and resurrection is the means by which Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for sin and the perfect High Priest, securing eternal salvation for all who believe [Hebrews 5:8-9](/hebrews/5-8-9 "Hebrews 5:8-9 - Jesus Learned Obedience and Was Made Perfect"). His resurrection on the third day, as prophesied here, is the ultimate triumph over sin, death, and the devil [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel of Christ's Death and Resurrection"); [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers"). Thus, Luke 13:32 is not merely a historical account but a profound Christological statement, revealing Jesus as the sovereign Lord who perfectly accomplishes God's redemptive purpose through His suffering, death, and resurrection.

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

Hebrews 2:10

¶ For it became him, for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Hebrews 5:9

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

John 17:4

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

John 17:5

And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

John 11:8

[His] disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

John 11:10

But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

John 10:32

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?