The Gospel According to St. Luke

⭑ Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 13 -

(Joel 1:13–20; Amos 5:4–15; Zephaniah 2:1–3)

At that time, some people there told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate mixed with their own sacrifices.

Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way?

No, I tell you. But if you do not repent, all of you will perish in the same way.

Or those eighteen people in Siloam on whom a tower fell and killed them, do you think they were worse sinners than other men in Jerusalem?

No, I say. But if you do not repent, all of you will also perish.”

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

(Isaiah 5:1–7)

Jesus told this parable, “Someone had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came and looked for fruit on it but found none.

The man said to the gardener, ‘Look, for three years I came and tried to find fruit on this fig tree and found none. Cut it down. Why let it waste the ground?’

The gardener answered and said, ’Leave it alone this year while I dig around it and put manure on it.

If it bears fruit next year, good; but if it does not, cut it down!’”

Jesus Heals a Disabled Woman

Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues during the Sabbath.

Behold, a woman was there who for eighteen years had an evil spirit of weakness, and she was bent over and not able to completely stand up.

When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, “Woman, you are freed from your weakness.”

He placed his hands on her, and immediately she was straightened up and she glorified God.

But the synagogue ruler was indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. So the ruler answered and said to the crowd, “There are six days in which it is necessary to work. Come and be healed then, not on the Sabbath day.”

The Lord answered him and said, “Hypocrites! Does not each of you untie your donkey or cow from its stall and lead it to drink on the Sabbath?

So too this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, should her bonds not be untied on the Sabbath day?”

As he said these things, all those who opposed him were ashamed, but the whole crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things he did.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

(Matthew 13:31–32; Mark 4:30–34)

Then Jesus said, “What is the kingdom of God like, and what can I compare it to?

It is like a mustard seed that a man took and threw into his garden, and it grew into a big tree, and the birds of heaven built their nests in its branches.”

The Parable of the Leaven

(Matthew 13:33)

Again he said, “To what can I compare the kingdom of God?

It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until it spread through all the flour.”

The Narrow Door

(Matthew 7:13–14)

Jesus visited each town and village on the way to Jerusalem and taught them.

Someone said to him, “Lord, are only a few people to be saved?” So he said to them,

“Struggle to enter through the narrow door, because, I say to you, many will want to enter, but will not be able to enter.

Once the owner of the house gets up and locks the door, then you will stand outside and pound the door and say, ‘Lord, Lord, let us in.’ And he will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you or where you are from.’

Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank in front of you and you taught in our streets.’

But he will reply, ‘I say to you, I do not know where you are from. Get away from me, you evildoers!’

There will be crying and the grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s kingdom, but you are thrown out.

They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and be seated at a table in the kingdom of God.

And know this, those who are least important will be first, and those who are most important will be last.”

Lament over Jerusalem

(Matthew 23:37–39)

Shortly after, some Pharisees came and said to him, “Go and leave here because Herod wants to kill you.”

Jesus said, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Look, I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and the third day I will reach my goal.’

In any case, it is necessary for me to continue on today, tomorrow, and the following day, since it is not acceptable to kill a prophet away from Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to you. How often I desired to gather your children the way a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you did not desire this.

See, your house is abandoned. I say to you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

(Joel 1:13–20; Amos 5:4–15; Zephaniah 2:1–3)

Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.

Jesus answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things?

I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.

Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the men who dwell in Jerusalem?

I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

(Isaiah 5:1–7)

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

He said to the vine dresser, ‘Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down! Why does it waste the soil?’

He answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.

If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.’”

Jesus Heals a Disabled Woman

He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day.

Behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years. She was bent over and could in no way straighten herself up.

When Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.”

He laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight and glorified God.

The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, “There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!”

Therefore the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each one of you free his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath and lead him away to water?

Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”

As he said these things, all his adversaries were disappointed; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

(Matthew 13:31–32; Mark 4:30–34)

He said, “What is God’s Kingdom like? To what shall I compare it?

It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and put in his own garden. It grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the sky live in its branches.”

The Parable of the Leaven

(Matthew 13:33)

Again he said, “To what shall I compare God’s Kingdom?

It is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in three measures (a) of flour, until it was all leavened.”

The Narrow Door

(Matthew 7:13–14)

He went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and traveling on to Jerusalem.

One said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?” He said to them,

“Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in and will not be able.

When once the master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’

He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, and yourselves being thrown outside.

They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in God’s Kingdom.

Behold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last.”

Lament over Jerusalem

(Matthew 23:37–39)

On that same day, some Pharisees came, saying to him, “Get out of here and go away, for Herod wants to kill you.”

He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I complete my mission.

Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, for it can’t be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.’

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you refused!

Behold, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (b)

Footnotes

(a)13:21 literally, three sata. 3 sata is about 39 liters or a bit more than a bushel.

(b)13:35 ℘ Psalms 118:26