What does Luke 13:35 mean?
A man has asked Jesus if few will be saved. Jesus confirms by saying that to be saved, people must enter by the "narrow door" leading into a house that represents the kingdom of God (Luke 13:23–24). Jesus' audience is Jews. He tells them that if they do not truly know Him, they will not receive the blessing God gave Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They may be descended from the patriarchs physically, but certainly not spiritually. They will not inherit the kingdom of God in eternity (Luke 13:25–30). Their house—legacy and nation—is forsaken.In earlier verses, Jesus infers this is His house (Luke 13:25); here, He says it is "your" house. In Jewish literature, "house" can represent kingdom or dynasty. When David wanted to build a "house" or the temple for God, God told him no, but God would establish David's "house" forever (2 Samuel 7:16). In other places, "house" can mean the nation of Israel, the temple, or the temple as representing the nation of Israel (Isaiah 64:11; Jeremiah 12:7; 22:5).
The quote is from Psalm 118:26, a Messianic psalm recited at the Passover Seder. In Jesus' time, the priests recited the psalm while sacrificing the Passover lambs in the temple. The crowd will chant it at the triumphal entry as Jesus enters Jerusalem (Luke 19:38), but Jesus is talking about His second coming. The "name" of the Lord refers to His authority and power. The time is short (Luke 13:1–9). The people have a limited amount of time to see Jesus. They will have other opportunities to follow Him (Acts 2), but He will leave soon and after the ascension, they will not see Him again until His return when Israel as a nation will finally accept Him as their Messiah.