查經資料大全

 

| Back to Home Page | Back to Book Index |

 

Luke Chapter Thirteen

                             

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Teachings and Warnings of the Son of Man the Savior

I.  Concerning the repentance:

  A. Unless you repent you will all likewise perish (v.1-5).

  B. The reason of being left alone is to repent and bear fruits (v.6-9).

II. Concerning the rest:

  A. One will have rest after he has been healed (v.10-13).

  B. The bond should be loosed on the Sabbath (v.14-17).

III. Concerning the kingdom of God:

  A. The appearance of the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed which grew and became a large tree (v.18-19).

  B. It is also like leaven which makes it be all leavened (v.20).

  C. If one does not strive to enter through the narrow gate he will not be able to sit down in the kingdom of God (v.21-30).

IV. He lamented over Jerusalem (v.31-35).

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Luke. 13:1 “There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

   YLT: “And there were present certain at that time telling him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate did mingle with their sacrifices;”

   Literal Meaning: “present at that season” It was the time when the Lord Jesus persuaded men to try their best to settle with their adversaries (See Matt. 12:58-59).

  “The Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.” This event was not recorded in other historical materials. Probably when Pilate was the governor of Galilee he sent armed forces to slaughter the Galileans when they were offering the sacrifices in order to suppress the revolt of the Galileans so that the blood of those who were killed was mingled with the sacrifices. This kind of action coincided with the evil name of Pilate.

  “Told Him” Probably their purpose to tell the Lord Jesus was to ask Him the reason why the Galilean suffered such things and whether they deserved the suffering that they received (See v.2).

 

Luke. 13:2 “And Jesus answered and said to them Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things?

   YLT: “and Jesus answering said to them `Think ye that these Galileans became sinners beyond all the Galileans because they have suffered such things?”

   The Background: the Jews commonly held that disasters only happened to the worst sinners (See John. 9:1-2; Job. 4:7; 22:5).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When men encounter misfortunes the ordinary men with the wrong conception and attitude of making pleasure in others’ misfortune think that they are greatly in sin so that they pay the penalty.

2) In the eyes of God there is no degree of sins. All the world may become guilty before God because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:19 23).

 

Luke. 13:3 “I tell you no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

   YLT: “No I say to you but if ye may not reform all ye even so shall perish.”

   Meaning of Words: “repent”: the change of thoughts and minds; “perish”: destroy fully loose completely ruin.

   Literal Meaning: “I tell you no.” The Lord here showed that the misfortune is not directly determined by the degree of sins.

  “But unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Though the befalling of misfortune may not be related to the degree of sins it is related to the corporate wickedness of all men (See Gen. 6:5-6). Therefore it reminds us that unless we repent we will all likewise perish.

  “Repent” in the original means the change of views and thoughts instead of the change of behaviors. Men’s thoughts were originally against God and far away from God and now they should completely change and turn to God. “Perish” does not mean that the body will die but that the soul will suffer the everlasting pain after one’s death.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) All men are sinners and they all need to repent otherwise they have to face the terrible end.

2) Repentance does not mean the change of behaviors. Therefore it is not to forsake evil to do goodness. Repentance the change of thoughts is to turn one’s thoughts to God from all the others besides God.

3) Men’s greatest sin before God is the disobedience to Him. That’s the “sin” we have to confess when we repent. All sins of men originate from the disobedience to God.

4) We should repent when we only care about the religion doctrines letters and services and neglect the Lord Himself.

 

Luke. 13:4 “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?

   YLT: “`Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them; think ye that these became debtors beyond all men who are dwelling in Jerusalem?”

   The Background: “the tower in Siloam” It was built on the hillside within the city wall in the southeast of Jerusalem and it was next to the poor of Siloam (See John. 9:7).

   Literal Meaning: “those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them.” The disaster took place in Jerusalem on that day and the Lord mentioned this to emphasize the argument from v.1 to v.3.

 

Luke. 13:5 “I tell you no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.’”

   YLT: “No I say to you but if ye may not reform all ye in like manner shall perish.’”

   Enlightenment in the Word: concerning the worldly things that had occurred believers should elevate it to the spiritual realm and see the reason and countermeasure of them with the spiritual sight.

 

Luke. 13:6 “He also spoke this parable: A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.

   YLT: “And he spake this simile: ‘A certain one had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard and he came seeking fruit in it and he did not find;”

   Spiritual Meaning: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard” “A certain man” typifies God the Father; “a fig tree” is the type of the kingdom of Israel (See Jer. 24:5; Hos. 9:10) and it could also be applied to the assembly of God and the individual believer.

  “He came seeking fruit on it” God cultivates the children of Israel as the man plants the fig tree hoping to gain fruit to satisfy His need.

  There are at least following kinds of “fruit” in the Bible: 1) the fruit of repentance i.e. the change of behaviors because of the heart of repentance (See 3:8); 2) the fruit of virtue i.e. the spiritual virtue that is naturally manifested by the work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of men (See Gal. 5:22-23); 3) the fruit of life i.e. the manifestation of the mature life (See John. 15:1-8); 4) the fruit of testimony i.e. the result of one’s working for the Lord (See Rom. 1:13); 5) the fruit of lips i.e. giving thanksgiving praise and glory to God (See Heb. 13:15).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Today among believers the condition is probably like that among the children of Israel that many people have a form of godliness but deny its power (2Tim. 3:5)------there is nothing but leaves only------that makes the Lord unsatisfied.

2) If we only stress on the doctrines words and letters and neglect the reality of the spiritual life probably in the eyes of the Lord we are Christians who have nothing but leaves.

3) The Lord gave Himself to be men’s real provision and He is a strong contrast to the fig tree which does not have the reality but the appearance.

 

Luke. 13:7 “Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard Look for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'

   YLT: “and he said unto the vine-dresser Lo three years I come seeking fruit in this fig-tree and do not find cut it off why also the ground doth it render useless?”

   Literal Meaning: “for three years” someone held that it indicated that it had been three years since the Lord Jesus began to preach when He was thirty years old (See 3:23).

  “Use up the ground.” It means to consume the nutrients of the soil usurp the sunshine and take up the room.

   Spiritual Meaning: “the keeper of his vineyard” is the type of the Lord Jesus. God the Father sent His beloved Son to the world to preach the word of the kingdom of God among the Jews.

  “For three years.” It means that it has been given the ample time.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If believers do not bear the spiritual fruit in the eyes of God they “use up the ground” and waste their whole life in the world unavoidably they will be punished by God in future.

2) The Holy Trinity keeps working in believers with the aim that we could bear fruit to satisfy Him. Those who hold that it is enough that one has been saved through the faith of the Lord and won’t perish in future are the most selfish Christians because they have not considered the satisfaction of God.

 

Luke. 13:8 “But he answered and said to him Sir let it alone this year also until I dig around it and fertilize it.

   YLT: “`And he answering saith to him Sir suffer it also this year till that I may dig about it and cast in dung;”

   Meaning of Words: “fertilize”: organic manure.

   Spiritual Meaning: “he” is the type of the Lord Jesus who intercedes for us before God (See Heb. 7:25).

  “Let it alone this year also” “This year” does not indicate the year in the calendar but the time limit of God’s forbearance and grace. To all the people of Israel and the assembly the time limit indicates the dispensation of grace and to the individual believer it indicates the years when men are alive.

  “Until I dig around it” It typifies that the Lord removes our hardened hearts so that the root of life will have room to extend.

  “Fertilize it” “Manure” is detested by men and on one hand it symbolizes the offense of the cross (See Gal. 5:11). On the other it symbolizes the nutrients of life.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God is full of mercy in righteousness and His goodness leads us to repentance (See Rom. 2:4).

2) Nobody could be sure whether the days of one’s life fall within “this year” or “using up the ground” (See v.7) before the Lord for the chance has passed. May all believers take the chance at present and bear the fruit of life.

3) Today is the chance that the Lord has kept for us for the further and deeper work of the cross in us so that we could bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit (See Gal. 5:22-24).

 

Luke. 13:9 “And if it bears fruit well. But if not after that you can cut it down.’”

   YLT: “and if indeed it may bear fruit ; and if not so thereafter thou shalt cut it off.’”

   Spiritual Meaning: “you can cut it down” It predicts that the children of Israel will be rejected by God for a while and the failing Christians will be punished by God in future and they do not partake in the enjoyment of the kingdom.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If believers do not bear fruit we will be taken away cast out and withered (John. 15:2 6).

2) The value of the existence of all is to let the Lord of all have enjoyment and satisfaction otherwise their existence is meaningless.

3) The fruit that we could give the Lord is the measurement of Christ in us. We should pray the Lord to work in us to increase “Christ” in us lest we may be abandoned.

 

Luke. 13:10 “Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.

   YLT: “And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath ”

   The Background: “He was teaching in one of the synagogues” “Synagogue” came into being after the Jews were carried away captive to Babylon. There was no holy temple in foreign countries. The Jews wanted to gather together to worship God and listen to the word of God and then synagogue emerged as the time required. The Lord Jesus taught men in the synagogue because there were many people there.

   Spiritual Meaning: “synagogue” symbolizes all religions which the Judaism represents.

 

Luke. 13:11 “And behold there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.

   YLT: “and lo there was a woman having a spirit of infirmity eighteen years and she was bowed together and not able to bend back at all ”

   Meaning of Words: “bent over”: bent together bent double.

   Literal Meaning: “was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.” It is different from humpback and she bent down from the waist and her chest even overlapped her legs. 

   Spiritual Meaning: “who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years” It indicates that she “has been bound by Satan for eighteen years” (See v.16).

  “Could in no way raise herself up” It symbolizes that those who have been bound by the devil could only look down at the earthly things and could not look up into heaven.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If our eyes of hearts only look at the earthly things and do not look up into the heavenly things (See Col. 3:1-2) probably we may be bound by the devil.

2) It is proved that he who has been pressed by sin the world life morality religion the Law and other burdens and “could in no way raise himself up” is under the power of Satan.

 

Luke. 13:12 “But when Jesus saw her He called her to Him and said to her Woman you are loosed from your infirmity.’”

   YLT: “and Jesus having seen her did call [her] near and said to her `Woman thou hast been loosed from thy infirmity;’”

   Enlightenment in the Word: this woman who was “bent over and could in no way raise herself up” (v.11) was seen and healed by the Lord “in the synagogue” (v.10). The ordinary woman who may have the same disease with her may blame God and men or avoid meeting others. However she still went to the synagogue to worship God and learn the word of God and therefore she was granted the grace. May we could disregard our own tribulations and still seek the word of God with boldness and thank and praise God in the tribulations.

 

Luke. 13:13 “And He laid His hands on her and immediately she was made straight and glorified God.

   YLT: “and he laid on her [his] hands and presently she was set upright and was glorifying God.”

   Spiritual Meaning: “He laid His hands on her” “Laying one’s hand on” symbolizes to spread the blessing (See 1Tim. 4:14 2Tim. 1:6) and symbolizes the union of life (See 1Tim. 5:22).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Only when one is united to Christ completely (“laid His hands on her”) could he be delivered from the heavy burdens (“raise herself up”) and then God the Father will be glorified by this.

2) When we are pressed by the worldly things and could not breathe as long as the Lord comes and touches us we will be released immediately.

 

Luke. 13:14 “But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them and not on the Sabbath day.’”

   YLT: “And the chief of the synagogue answering much displeased that on the sabbath Jesus healed said to the multitude `Six days there are in which it behoveth [us] to be working; in these then coming be healed and not on the sabbath-day.’”

   The Background: according to the teachings of the Jewish rabbis unless men were dying men could not “heal men on the Sabbath day” because they thought that healing was against the regulation that one could not work on the Sabbath.

   Spiritual Meaning: “the ruler of the synagogue” is the type of the religious leader.

  “Jesus had healed on the Sabbath” The Sabbath was set up for men to have rest. Men were sick on the Sabbath and it symbolizes that men in the religion only have the appearance of the Sabbath and lack the reality of the Sabbath. Only the Lord Jesus could bring men the true rest.

  “With indignation” symbolizes that religion is utilized by the devil to reject the Lord Jesus.

 

Luke. 13:15 “The Lord then answered him and said Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it away to water it?

   YLT: “Then the Lord answered him and said `Hypocrite doth not each of you on the sabbath loose his ox or ass from the stall and having led away doth water [it]?”

   Literal Meaning: “Hypocrite!” indicates that they pretended to be zealous in the Law and actually they did not care the general principle of the Law that “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (See Matt. 22:39-40).

  Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it away to water it?” It shows that they care about animals more than those who are in need. They care about their livestock and do not care about others’ illness showing that they love themselves and do not love others------they have not loved their neighbor as themselves.

 

Luke. 13:16 “So ought not this woman being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?’”

   YLT: “and this one being a daughter of Abraham whom the Adversary bound lo eighteen years did it not behove to be loosed from this bond on the sabbath-day?’”

   Literal Meaning: “being a daughter of Abraham” It means that she was one of God’s elect.

   Spiritual Meaning: “be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” It indicates that the Sabbath is to make men have rest (See Gen. 2:3) and it is not to keep men under the control.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Whom Satan has bound for eighteen years.” Many times Satan makes men fall ill and become unclean (See 1Cor. 5:5 2Cor. 12:7).

2) Helping others to be released from suffering is to make men rest and it is the true rest.

3) The legal tradition (“a daughter of Abraham”) and the best system (“the Sabbath”) still could not help men be delivered from the binding and pressing. Only the full Christ could release men and bring them into the true rest.

 

Luke. 13:17 “And when He said these things all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

   YLT: “And he saying these things all who were opposed to him were being ashamed and all the multitude were rejoicing over all the glorious things that are being done by him.”

   Literal Meaning: “all His adversaries were put to shame” “His adversaries” indicate those who hold the rigid attitude towards the Law and regulations and reject the Lord Jesus; “were put to shame” indicates that their hearts felt shameful.

   Enlightenment in the Word: the word of the Lord has two-sided effects:

  1. The negative aspect: it is like the two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12) that makes listeners feel that they are picked in their hearts (Acts. 2:37) and “shameful”.

  2. The positive aspect: it is like the dropping of the honeycomb (Ps. 19:10) that makes listeners feel refreshing sweet (Ps. 119:103) satisfied “joyful” and encourage them.

 

Luke. 13:18 “Then He said What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

   YLT: “And he said `To what is the reign of God like? and to what shall I liken it?”

   Meaning of Words: “like”: similar alike; “compare”: to become similar resemble.

   Spiritual Meaning: these parables concerning the kingdom of God are consistent with the mind of the context in this chapter. Therefore the parables show that the appearance and reality of the kingdom of God on the earth are destroyed by the enemy with the result of deformation and deterioration and they do not show the positive meaning which the common Bible exegetes of Christianity hold. Many people who are nominally of God only condemn others and they do not repent (v.1-5); they only have leaves and do not have fruit (v.6-9); they only keep the regulations of Sabbath and do not understand the meaning of Sabbath (v.10-17); they are satisfied with being saved and do not strive to enter through the narrow gate (v.22-30); they only consider themselves and do not consider God (v.31-35).

 

Luke. 13:19 “It is like a mustard seed which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree and the birds of the air nested in its branches.’”

   YLT: “It is like to a grain of mustard which a man having taken did cast into his garden and it increased and came to a great tree and the fowls of the heavens did rest in its branches.’”

   Meaning of Words: “like”: similar alike.

The Background: there is a kind of mustard tree in the Middle East. Its seed is very small but it can grow up into a big tree of three or four meters in which birds come and rest.

   Literal Meaning: “It is like a mustard seed.” The Lord does not mean that the kingdom of heaven is like “a mustard seed” but like the whole parable of v.19.

   Spiritual Meaning: the word of the Lord here implies that:

    1) The nature of the kingdom of God is life and is characterized by being able to grow.

    2) The kingdom of God is like herbs on the earth and it is temporary. It will be harvested after it has grown up.

    3) The word of the kingdom of God is for men as bread instead of other uses.

    4) The kingdom of God is as small as the mustard seed and therefore the sons of the kingdom of God are little flock (See 12:32).

  A man took and put it in his garden” the beginning of the kingdom of God is the Lord Himself (“a man”) who sowed His word as seed (“the mustard seed”) into the world (“his garden”).

  “It grew and became a large tree” It is not the will of the Lord but the result of the enemy’s destruction. Here it shows the accidental development of the kingdom of God and its features are as below:

1) The kingdom of God becomes tall and wide and draws men’s attention and respect and also gives men protection.

2) It roots deeply into the land unties with the world closely and plans to stay on earth long.

3) It can never be taken as food like herbs and has lost its function of the spiritual provision.

“The birds of the air nested in its branches.”------“The birds of the air” indicate Satan (See Mark. 4:4 15) and its angels (Eph. 6:12). “Branches” refer to the organizations of Christianity. It shows that the excessive development of the appearance of the kingdom of God draws the devil to hide itself in it and many evil persons and things along with the devil nest in the organizations of Christianity.

  Controversial Clarification: Some Bible exegetes explained “it grew and became a large tree” as that the kingdom of God was as insignificant as the mustard seed. After growing up it became very large and even spread all over the world. “The birds of the air” refer to the Gentile nations. “Nested in its branches” it means that people of all nations partake in the kingdom of God and have rest in it. However this positive explanation about the ideal of the kingdom of God conflicts with the Lord’s explanation that “birds of the air” is “the wicked one” (See Matt. 13:4 19; Mark. 4:4 15). Moreover the birds are not a part of the mustard seed (kingdom of God) so we can only take it as a matter whose nature is different from that of the kingdom of God. Therefore a proper explanation is that it refers to the abnormal development of the kingdom of God on the earth. Since the Constantine carried on the policy of the unification of the state and the church the appearance of the kingdom of God became rather enormous so that the evil one took the chance to enter into the church on the earth and dwelt in it (Rev. 2:13).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) It is not a good thing of the excessive development of the appearance of the assembly for it may easily bring in the hide of the enemy (“the birds of the air”). The assembly should keep its identity of “little flock” on the earth (See 12:32). 

2) The secret of overcoming is to take fast hold of our position that is given by the Lord and be humble willingly. God used Saul when he thought himself as the smallest. God found David when Saul was proud later (1Sam. 9:21 16:1).

3) If we puff up and pretend to be great and to be spiritual though we are not so in fact we just consequently give room to Satan.

 

Luke. 13:20 “And again He said To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

   YLT: “And again he said `To what shall I liken the reign of God?”

   Meaning of Words: “liken”: become similar resemble (it is the same word in the original with “compare” in v.18).

        

Luke. 13:21 “It is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.’”

   YLT: “It is like leaven which a woman having taken did hide in three measures of meal till that all was leavened.’”

   Meaning of Words: “like”: similar alike (in the original it is the same with “like” in v.18 and v.19); “hid”: conceal; “was leaven”: be risen with yeast.

Literal Meaning: “like leaven” The Lord meant that the kingdom of heaven is like the whole parable in this verse.

   Spiritual Meaning: “like leaven” “leaven” indicates evil teaching (Matt. 16:12) and evil things (1Cor. 5:7-8).

“A woman took and hid in three measures of meal.” “A woman” is the backslidden assembly (Rev. 2:20); “three measures of meal” is the originally unleavened fine flour and the unleavened fine flour is the type that Christ is the pure food for men and God (See Lev. 2:1); therefore “three measures of meal” symbolize the original nature of kingdom of God as the Blessed Trinity in Christ is pure and could fill men in spirit.

A woman took leaven and hid it in three measures of meal showing that the backslidden assembly privily brought in damnable heresies (2Pet. 2:1) and mixed it with pure teachings. She also received evil things and mixed them with pure spiritual things.

  “Till it was all leavened” “It” is the whole Christianity. The enemy’s work of corruption becomes more and more serious day by day and even corrupts the whole Christianity.

  Controversial Clarification: Some Bible exegetes held that “leaven” may not present the bad things and therefore God asked men to sacrifice two breads with leaven as food-offering in the day of Pentecost (Lev. 23:17). Actually these two breads with leaven are the type of the Jewish and the Gentile assembly that were generated in the day of Pentecost. Though they were saved for they have been born from above their flesh of the old men still exists and therefore “leaven” is not good. Some Bible exegetes explained “leaven” as the inner working power of the Holy Spirit which was able to expand in individual life human beings and ultimately the whole. However this explanation was opposed to the Lord’s view that the leaven was not good (See 12:1; Matt. 16:11-12; Mark. 8:15) and therefore it was unacceptable.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The artifice of the enemy is to transform the appearance of the assembly (a mustard seed grew and became a tree) or deteriorate the inner part of the assembly (it was all leavened).

2) What Christians should care mostly is not to be cheated by teachings of heresy. Today in the world of Christianity teachings of heresy are very prosperous because the Lord had already foreknown this.

3) Leaven is able to make breads delicious. The teachings of heresy please men’s appetite and therefore they are welcome to common people.

 

Luke. 13:22 “And He went through the cities and villages teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.

   YLT: “And he was going through cities and villages teaching and making progress toward Jerusalem;”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The attitude of the Lord Jesus teaches us that: we shouldn’t stop doing anything or sit down to wait for the coming of the kingdom of God because the day of rapture is coming. We should walk on the way of the cross and couldn’t cease our daily work.

2) If the cross really works deeply in us many things could help us to experience Him more deeply and abundantly.

 

Luke. 13:23 “Then one said to Him Lord are there few who are saved? And He said to them

   YLT: “and a certain one said to him `Sir are those saved few?’ and he said unto them ”

   Literal Meaning: “Lord are there few who are saved?” The one who asked the Lord the question may become aware that though the multitudes came to listen to the preaching of Jesus and were healed few of the followers were faithful.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Many believers take notice of the quantity of those who have been saved and therefore they have the burden of evangel. It is good to preach the gospel and make men be saved however it is not the only good thing.

2) It is not the will of the Lord to make men be saved and not seek Him diligently. The Lord is unwilling to see that those who have been saved are neither cold nor hot (See Rev. 3:15-16).

 

Luke. 13:24Strive to enter through the narrow gate for many I say to you will seek to enter and will not be able.

   YLT: “`Be striving to go in through the straight gate because many I say to you will seek to go in and shall not be able;”

   Meaning of Words: “strive”: fight labor fervently struggle; “not be able”: not have strength.

   The Background: there were rivers around the city of the Jews. There was a narrow bridge in the place to enter into the city. There was a small gate in the middle of the great gate.

   Literal Meaning: “strive to enter through the narrow gate” Here the gate is the pass to another way. Only by entering through “the narrow gate” could one find the right way.

  Citizens of the kingdom of God should find the gate at first and then walk on the way. What we should enter through is the narrow gate indicating that the requirements to the kingdom of God are extremely strict and men’s natural conceptions motives out of themselves and the fleshly behaviors must be abandoned outside of the narrow gate.

   Spiritual Meaning: the “narrow gate” here does not stress on one’s being saved and entering the eternal life (See Matt. 7:13-14) but emphasize one’s overcoming and entering into the reality of the kingdom of God. It is related to the reward of the gain of kingdom.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Men care about whether “there are few who are saved” (See v.23) and the Lord cares that men should enter in the kingdom of God (“the narrow gate”).

2) Men stress on the outward prosperity------the quantity of people full cooperation good fame and magnificent buildings------“are there few who are saved?” (v.23) The Lord emphasizes the actual spiritual state that whether one walks on the way of the cross------“strive to enter through the narrow gate”.

3) Believers should at first enter through the narrow gate and then walk on the way. Entering through the narrow gate is only a beginning and walking on the way is the lifelong procedure. Once we have entered through the wrong gate the way we walk on after must be wrong. Therefore we have to be very cautious in the beginning.

4) Cross is a test for citizens of the kingdom of God to enter through the narrow gate. It makes us to be restricted everywhere and not walk randomly.

5) If we are willing to be restricted receive the deprivation of the cross and get rid of everything that is unsuited to the heavenly nature we could walk on the way of everlasting (Ps. 139:24). Unfortunately there are few who are willing to pay this price.

6) In the heavenly realm everything should be originated from Christ the gate and all our life service and experience should be done in Christ.

7) The narrow gate is the way of cross. Only through cross can we find God and receive the eternal life. This is the unchangeable truth.

8) There is the limitation of the period of validity for one to enter through the narrow gate. If one does not enter through the gate right now he will not be able to enter through it though he seeks to enter in future.

 

Luke. 13:25 “When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door saying Lord Lord open for us ' and He will answer and say to you I do not know you where you are from '

   YLT: “from the time the master of the house may have risen up and may have shut the door and ye may begin without to stand and to knock at the door saying Lord lord open to us and he answering shall say to you I have not known you whence ye are ”

   Literal Meaning: “I do not know you where you are from.” In the original know (oida) means to “praise approve like recognize”. Therefore this sentence does not mean that the Lord does not know them at all. It means that the Lord does not appreciate them (See Matt. 7:23).

   Spiritual Meaning: “once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door.” “The Master of the house” indicates the Lord Jesus Christ; “the door” does not indicate the door of salvation and the eternal life but the door to enter the kingdom and gain the reward.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) After believers have been saved and have entered the door of the eternal life they still need to strive to enter the door of overcoming.

2) As long as it is called today (See Heb. 3:13) believers should enter the door in time lest we should be shut out of the door in future.

 

Luke. 13:26 “then you will begin to say We ate and drank in Your presence and You taught in our streets.'

   YLT: “then ye may begin to say We did eat before thee and did drink and in our broad places thou didst teach;”

   Literal Meaning: this verse means that we have been with you and have received your provisions and teachings.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Though the ordinary Christians have entered the church and studied at the Sunday school and in the Bible study however they probably only have the nodding acquaintance with the Lord and do not truly know His intention.

2) We should not keep a casual acquaintanceship with the Lord and we should build up the deep relationship with the Lord that we could share weal and woe.

 

Luke. 13:27 “But He will say I tell you I do not know you where you are from. Depart from Me all you workers of iniquity.'

   YLT: “and he shall say I say to you I have not known you whence ye are; depart from me all ye workers of the unrighteousness.”

   Meaning of Words: “knew”: praise acknowledge; “lawlessness”: illegality a violation of law wickedness.

   Literal Meaning: those who do the work of the Lord by their own will are the workers of lawlessness (the original of “workers of iniquity”). This kind of people will not be praised (the original meaning of “know”) and will be punished by the Lord before the judgment-seat of Christ in future.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God’s will is the test for our work. God cares about whether our work is of God or of us instead of the greatness or prosperity of our work.

2) “Workers of iniquity” are “workers of lawlessness” who walk not according to the principle of God. The principle of God is none other but the cross of Christ. Everything that is done not according to the principle of cross will not be acknowledged by the Lord.

3) Those who have not been dealt with by the cross only pay attention to the effect of work and praise of men instead of the acknowledgement of the Lord. And certainly their work is of no spiritual value.

 

Luke. 13:28 “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and yourselves thrust out.

   YLT: “`There shall be there the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth when ye may see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the reign of God and yourselves being cast out without;”

   Literal Meaning: “Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets” They were the ancestors of the children of Israel and they were also the witnesses of faith (Heb. 11:17-21).

  “In the kingdom of God” “The kingdom of God” indicates that one is with God in His glory. Here it specially indicates that in the kingdom of a thousand years the overcoming saints take part in the reward of the kingdom (See Rev. 20:4-6).

  “Thrust out” indicates outside of the kingdom i.e. outside of God’s presence.

  “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” “Weeping” indicates the repentance in the heart; “gnashing of teeth” indicates the deep self-reproach.

 

Luke. 13:29 “They will come from the east and the west from the north and the south and sit down in the kingdom of God.

   YLT: “and they shall come from east and west and from north and south and shall recline in the reign of God ”

   Literal Meaning: “They will come from the east and the west from the north and the south.” These people indicate the Gentile believers who come from every corner of the world (See Ps. 107:3) to God.

  “And sit down in the kingdom of God” It indicates that one partakes in the enjoyment of the reward and preparation of the kingdom of God.

  This verse indicates that there will be many Gentiles partake in the kingdom of God because of their faith and enjoy the reward of kingdom because they are willing to let Christ reign in them.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Thank God! We who once were not a people but are now the people of God and who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy (2Pet. 2:10).

2) At all times and in all countries there are many people risen by God in various regions to partake in the kingdom of God.

 

Luke. 13:30 “And indeed there are last who will be first and there are first who will be last.’”

   YLT: “and lo there are last who shall be first and there are first who shall be last.’”

   Literal Meaning: “indeed there are last who will be first” It is the word of encouragement. Though men may be last in the beginning everything has not been fixed and therefore they could still become first.

  “There are first who will be last.” It is the word of warning. If men are complacent about the present state probably they may become “last”.

   Spiritual Meaning: “last” indicate the Gentile believers and those who have been save later; “first” indicate the Jews and those who have been in the Lord earlier.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) What determines our end in future is our “present” state instead of our “previous” state.

2) Many who are first will be last (Matt. 19:30). We should not hold that it is enough for one to love the Lord formerly lest it will be too late for us to regret.

3) To those who ran well (See Gal. 5:7) even if they do not have the spirit of pride if they slack off and do not try their best to run (See Pill. 3:13-14 Heb. 12:1) they will fall behind.

4) For the reward of the kingdom we should try our best to run (1Cor. 9:24) and finish the race (2Tim. 4:7) then we may be “first”.

5) Our duty is to run and the Lord is the one who judges who is first or last.

 

Luke. 13:31 “On that very day some Pharisees came saying to Him Get out and depart from here for Herod wants to kill You.’”

   YLT: “On that day there came near certain Pharisees saying to him `Go forth and be going on hence for Herod doth wish to kill thee;’”

   Literal Meaning: “Herod wants to kill You.” “Herod” was Herod Antipas who killed John the Baptist (See 9:7-9). There are two possibilities for the Pharisees to say so: 1) the Pharisees did not like that the Lord Jesus preached in the neighborhood and they wanted to force Him to leave that place by means of Herod; 2) Herod feared the arising of another prophet who had the same influence with John the Baptist and therefore he wanted to frighten Him away from that place.

 

Luke. 13:32 “And He said to them Go tell that fox Behold I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow and the third day I shall be perfected.'

   YLT: “and he said to them ‘Having gone say to this fox Lo I cast forth demons and perfect cures to-day and to-morrow and the third [day] I am being perfected;”

   Literal Meaning: “Go tell that fox” “Fox” is suspicious and cunning by nature. The Lord Jesus used it to describe that Herod was mercurial and deceitful by nature. It correctly reflects the common view of the Jews towards Herod.

  “Behold I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow and the third day I shall be perfected.” It shows that the Lord Jesus served on earth according to the appointed timetable until He fulfilled His ministry and achieved His aim.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The attitude of the enemy is to drive out Christ------“get out and depart from here” and kill Him------“Herod wants to kill you” (v.31). However the Lord’s attitude is to advance bravely and never shrink back------“I must journey today” (v.33) and continually supply grace------“I cast out demons and performs cures today and tomorrow” because He has the glorious hope of resurrection------“and the third day I shall be perfected”. Those who follow Christ should do likewise.

2) On one hand the intention of Herod on the earth was going to bring forth (v.31) and on the other the will of God in heaven should be fulfilled. Do we forsake the will of God because of the earthly countercheck? Or do we disregard the earthly countercheck because of the will of God?

 

Luke. 13:33 “Nevertheless I must journey today tomorrow and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.

   YLT: “but it behoveth me to-day and to-morrow and the [day] following to go on because it is not possible for a prophet to perish out of Jerusalem.”

   Literal Meaning: “nevertheless I must journey today tomorrow and the day following;” “today tomorrow and the day following” is the Jewish grammar to show “a short period of time that is uncertain but limited”.

  “For it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.” It implies that He was determined to go to Jerusalem for the death of redemption on the cross.

  In this verse the Lord Jesus means that: there was a little while that I was on the earth I must work as usual and then go to Jerusalem and be killed for sins of the world.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) If the hour of the Lord has not come yet the enemy could not harm us (See John. 7:30; 8:20; Matt. 16:21).

2) The key element for Christians to overcome is to advance bravely though they are fully aware that they are going to be killed (See Rev. 12:11).

 

Luke. 13:34O Jerusalem Jerusalem the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings but you were not willing!

   YLT: “`Jerusalem Jerusalem that is killing the prophets and stoning those sent unto her how often did I will to gather together thy children as a hen her brood under the wings and ye did not will.”

  Literal Meaning: “stones those who are sent to her!” Usually the Jews stone four kinds of men to death: a) those who serve other gods (See Deut. 17:5 7); b) he who has a wizard (See Lev. 20:27); c) those who commit adultery (See Deut. 22:22 John. 8:5); d) the false prophets (See John. 8:33 11:8). Here it must indicate that the apostles who had been sent by the Lord were misunderstood as false prophets by Judaists (See Matt. 21:35) and therefore they were stoned to death by them.

  “How often I wanted to gather your children together.” “How often” shows that Jesus had visited Jerusalem many times (See John. 2:13 5:1 7:10 and etc); “Your children” means “your sons” in the original and it indicates the inhabitants of Jerusalem and it also indicates believers in Judaism.

  “As a hen gathers her chicks under her wings” Most of religious believers rebel the will of God because of their ignorance. God bears with them again and again and contrarily He with the mood of hens with outstretched wings (See Is. 31:5) wants to gather them to trust under the shadow of His wings (Ps. 36:7) in order that they may obtain His protection.

  “But you were not willing!” “You” indicates the leaders of Judaism. The Lord is “willing” many times unfortunately they keep “unwilling” all the time. How hardened were their hearts.

   Spiritual Meaning: Jerusalem” is the holy city of Judaism and it represents the inner circle of religious organizations. Everything that has the appearance of worshiping God and lacks the reality of it is religion. All the leaders and groups of religion in the world lacking the spiritual enlightenment strangle God’s words (“killed the prophets”) and persecute the servants who are really of God (“stones those who are sent to her”).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Leaders of the church who lack spiritual knowledge and experience will become those who block the fulfillment of the will of God.

2) The great harm the leaders may bring to the will of God is that they strangle God’s words close God’s revelations and put the witnesses who have been entrusted to spread God’s message to death.

3) The Lord “is willing many times” and men keep “unwilling” all the time. How difficult it is for the heart of heaven to receive the response of hearts on earth.

 

Luke. 13:35 “See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly I say to you you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’”

   YLT: “`Lo your house is being left to you desolate and verily I say to you ye may not see me till it may come when ye may say Blessed [is] he who is coming in the name of the Lord.’”

   Literal Meaning: “your house is left to you desolate” It predicted that God would abandon the city of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple (See Matt. 24:2 Jer. 12:7 Ezek. 11:23); the Lord here predicted again that this would be fulfilled in A.D. 70.

  “Be left to you” means that the Lord gave them up and let them walk in their own counsels (See Ps. 81:12).

 “You shall not see Me” It predicts that Jesus will depart from this world.

  “Until the time comes when you say Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!” Here it predicts that when Christ comes for the second time the Jews will admit that He is the Messiah. Here it also implies that when the Lord comes back the whole house of Israel will repent and be saved (See Rom. 11:26 Ps. 118:24-26).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Our individual body or the corporate believers (the church) is the temple of God (1Cor. 6:19 Eph. 2:21) however if we could not let Him settle down and dwell in we will become desolate and the desolation is of no use.

2) No matter the individual believer or the church if one does not magnify the name of the Lord (“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD”) he will lose the presence of the Lord (“shall not see Me”). However once one is willing to repent and turn to the Lord he will still receive the Lord’s blessing.

3) If men reject the Lord they will be rejected by the Lord. If men respect the Lord they will be respected by the Lord.

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

How to Enter the Kingdom of God and Gain the Reward of God

I. One should not hold that he is better than others and he should turn to God from his heart (v.1-5).

II. One should not waste the natural resources of life and he should bear the life of fruit (v.6-9).

III. One should not stress on the letters and doctrines and he should pay attention to the spiritual reality (v.10-17).

IV. One should not seek the beauty of the outward appearance and he should seek the inner purity (v.18-21).

V. One should not be influenced by the quantity of those who have been saved and he should try his best to deal with his natural life (v.22-25).

VI. One should not mind the distance and time and he should do his utmost to keep the principles of God (v.26-30).

VII. One should dare not sacrifice his life of soul and he should seize the chance to receive God’s grace (v.31-35).

 

Men’s Conceptions are Opposed to God’s Intention

I. Men think that those who suffer disasters must be worse sinners than others------God holds that everyone is the sinner and unless one repents he will perish (v.1-5).

II. Men are concerned about their status and appearance (the fig tree)------God cares that there is not the fruit of life (v.6-9).

III. Men only care about keeping the regulations of Sabbath------God cares that whether men have the reality of Sabbath (v.10-17).

IV. Men are concerned about largeness and the good taste------God cares that whether it is abnormal (v.18-21).

V. Men are concerned about the quantity of those who have been saved------God cares that whether men strive to enter through the narrow gate in time (v.22-25).

VI. Men are concerned about the origin and closeness of the flesh------God cares whether men keep His will (v.26-30).

VII. Men care about the maintenance the life of souls------God cares about the maintenance of His testimony (v.31-35).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren