Luke 13:33

Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the [day] following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

Nevertheless {G4133} I {G3165} must {G1163} walk {G4198} to day {G4594}, and {G2532} to morrow {G839}, and {G2532} the day following {G2192}: for {G3754} it cannot be {G3756}{G1735} that a prophet {G4396} perish {G622} out of {G1854} Jerusalem {G2419}.

Nevertheless, I must keep travelling today, tomorrow and the next day; because it is unthinkable that a prophet should die anywhere but in Yerushalayim.

Nevertheless, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day, for it is not admissible for a prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem.

Nevertheless I must go on my way to-day and to-morrow and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

Commentary

In Luke 13:33, Jesus delivers a profound and somewhat ironic statement regarding His imminent journey and destiny. This verse comes as Jesus responds to a warning from some Pharisees that Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee, seeks to kill Him (Luke 13:31).

Context

Having been informed of Herod's desire to kill Him, Jesus dismisses the threat and asserts His divine timetable. He refers to Herod as a "fox" (Luke 13:32), indicating his cunning but ultimately limited power. Jesus emphasizes that He has a predetermined path and purpose, which He will fulfill regardless of earthly threats. This statement sets the stage for His unwavering resolve to complete His ministry and ultimately face His passion in Jerusalem, the very heart of Jewish religious and political life.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Purpose: Jesus declares, "Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following," signifying that His actions are not dictated by human fear or threats, but by a divine imperative. He is on a mission ordained by God, moving steadily towards its climax. This highlights God's ultimate control over events and the Messiah's path.
  • Prophetic Destiny and Jerusalem: The latter part of the verse, "for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem," is deeply significant. Jerusalem, the holy city, had a tragic history of rejecting and killing God's prophets. Jesus is heading there, knowing that He, the greatest Prophet, will also meet His fate there, fulfilling this sorrowful pattern. This reflects His lament over Jerusalem, a theme further developed in the very next verse.
  • Unwavering Resolve: Despite the dangers and the certain knowledge of His suffering, Jesus demonstrates an unshakeable determination to complete His earthly ministry, including His healing and teaching, before His ultimate sacrifice.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I must walk" translates the Greek verb dei (δεῖ), which conveys a strong sense of divine necessity or obligation. It's not merely a personal choice or a human compulsion, but an expression of what is divinely appointed and inescapable for the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. This word is frequently used in the New Testament to describe the essential nature of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection as part of God's will.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement to believers to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when faced with opposition or uncertainty. Jesus' example of unwavering commitment to His divine purpose, despite knowing the ultimate cost, serves as a powerful model of faith and obedience. It reminds us that our true security and purpose are found not in avoiding difficulties, but in faithfully walking the path God has set before us. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's messengers and His truth, as seen in Jerusalem's historical treatment of prophets and its ultimate rejection of the Messiah.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 9:53 (7 votes)

    And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

  • Matthew 21:11 (6 votes)

    And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

  • Acts 13:27 (5 votes)

    For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled [them] in condemning [him].

  • Matthew 20:18 (5 votes)

    Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,

  • John 4:34 (4 votes)

    Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

  • John 9:4 (4 votes)

    I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

  • John 12:35 (3 votes)

    Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.