Luke 23:31

Commentary on Luke 23:31 (KJV)

In Luke 23:31, Jesus delivers a profound and sobering proverb to the weeping women of Jerusalem as He is led to His crucifixion. The verse reads, "For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" This statement is a stark warning, using vivid imagery to highlight the coming judgment.

Context

This verse is uttered during Jesus' agonizing journey to Golgotha, often called the Via Dolorosa. As He bears His cross, a great company of people, including women who lament and bewail Him, follow. Jesus turns to these women, not seeking their pity for His immediate suffering, but redirecting their tears towards the future catastrophic events that await Jerusalem and its inhabitants. He had previously lamented over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44), foretelling its destruction. This proverb serves as a grim continuation of that prophecy, underscoring the severity of divine judgment that would fall upon those who rejected Him, culminating in the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Innocence of Christ vs. The Guilt of Humanity: The "green tree" metaphorically represents Jesus Himself—innocent, full of life, and undeserving of His cruel fate. If such terrible things happen to the innocent Son of God, how much more severe will be the judgment upon the "dry tree," representing the spiritually barren and guilty nation that rejected its Messiah.
• Impending Judgment: The verse serves as a chilling prophecy of the impending desolation and judgment upon Jerusalem and the Jewish people for their rejection of Christ. It implies that if God permits such suffering for His righteous Son, His wrath will be far more intense for those who are unrighteous and rebellious. This resonates with other prophetic warnings of judgment found throughout the Bible, such as in Jeremiah 17:8 (green tree for righteousness) and Ezekiel 20:47 (fire consuming dry trees).
• Divine Justice: While seemingly harsh, the statement underscores the principle of divine justice. God's holiness demands a response to sin, and if even the sinless one bears the weight of humanity's sin, then those who cling to their sin will face its full consequences.

Linguistic Insights

The imagery of the "green tree" (Greek: xylon chlōron, literally "wet wood") and the "dry tree" (Greek: xylon xēron, "dry wood") is common in ancient Near Eastern and biblical literature. Green wood is difficult to burn, while dry wood ignites easily and burns fiercely. Jesus uses this common understanding to illustrate the relative ease with which judgment (symbolized by fire or destruction) will consume the "dry" (guilty, unrepentant) compared to the "green" (Himself, the innocent one, or the present generation). This proverbial saying emphasizes the severity of what is to come.

Practical Application

Luke 23:31 calls us to a sober reflection on the consequences of rejecting God's truth and grace.

• Self-Examination: It prompts us to consider whether we are "green" (alive in Christ, bearing fruit, receptive to God's word) or "dry" (spiritually barren, resistant to repentance, living in sin). The suffering of Christ on our behalf should lead to repentance and faith, not indifference.
• Urgency of Repentance: If the innocent suffered so greatly, how much more serious is the plight of the unrepentant? This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the urgency of repentance and finding salvation in Christ, as highlighted in John 3:18.
• Understanding Suffering: It helps us understand that suffering, even that of the innocent, can serve a divine purpose, often as a precursor or warning of greater judgment to come for the rebellious.