By: Robert Serreyn

Question? Would you be willing to expound a little on Luke 13:1-5?

(Luke 13:1) There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. (2) And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? (3) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (4) Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? (5) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Answer:

In Luke 13:1 there was a dialogue of Question and Answers between Jesus and those amongst them who had gathered around to listen to the Lord Jesus teach.

In Verse 2 Jesus was asked the Hypothetical situational question to which Jesus answered with “SUPPOSE YE” (you), The JEST of the question was CENTERED / HINGED upon the FASLE BELIEF that some of the Galileans BECAUSE they were considered or thought of as such GREAT SINNERS that they were MADE the objects and expression of God’s WRATH.

Today the SAME thought and belief is STILL taught. The Roman Catholic Church is the PRIME example of this FALSE BELIEF, they hold to and teach the FALSE IDEA and DOCTRINE of Mortal (greater) and Venial (lesser) sins.

Jesus DISPELLED this FALSE TEACHING, He told the gathered Galiliaens NO this IS NOT why those tragedies happened (not because they were Such Great Sinners), Jesus not only REFUTED their misguided thinking, he also took the answer from Physical Death by an supposed ANGRY GOD to the REAL ISSUE at hand, The ETERNAL CONSEQUENSES of death.

Jesus EXPLAINED that unless they REPENTED (Greek – METANOIA = CHANGED THEIR MIND) believing that He was God in the Flesh who came to be their Messiah (Saviour) and placed their FAITH ALONE in him for salvation – John 1:1,11,14 they just like those that had died in UNBELIEF(not Trusting in Christ ALONE as their Messiah) they to likewise would GO TO HELL (perish).

Verses 4 & 5 simply RE-EMPHASISES the same FACTS and TRUTHS with just using a different set of circumstances to drive home the very MOST IMPORTANT eternal truth of the NEED to place their FAITH ALONE in him as their Saviour.

SADLY many Gospel Tracts (like Chick Tracts) include this FALSE VIEW for Salvation.

To say that REPENT in Luke 13:5 means to Turn From Sin or to be Sorry For Sin would be DOING SOMETHING for salvation which is a WORK, and Salvation IS NOT by works – Ephesians 2:8,9, Titus 3:5, Romans 4:5, 11:6

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.

-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8

-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24

-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9

“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23

IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH