Luke 13:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’

NIV: Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ "But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

NASB: Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin standing outside and knocking on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ and He then will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’

CSB: once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door. Then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up for us!’ He will answer you, ‘I don’t know you or where you’re from.’

NLT: When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Lord, open the door for us!’ But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

KJV: When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

NKJV: 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,’

A man has asked if more people will be saved or unsaved. Jesus reframes the question to focus on the more important issue: the way of salvation is very narrow, like a narrow door. There are some standards on how to enter.

First, we must enter in time. Jesus has already explained that our life is finite. Even those who lead righteous lives can die by violence or tragedy without warning (Luke 13:1–5). But the open door also has a limited duration. Even if Jesus asks the Father for a little more time, eventually the door will close and no one else will be allowed through (Luke 13:6–9).

This verse seems to contradict Jesus' previous words about knocking on doors: "And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened" (Luke 11:9–10). However, Jesus promised this in the context of a God-follower asking for what God the Father wants for His children: His kingdom, life, forgiveness, obedience, and the tools to serve others (Luke 11:1–8).

Here, Jesus is talking about people who claimed to follow Him but didn't really know Him. They listened to His teaching but didn't follow what He said. They ate the physical food He offered but not the spiritual food they needed (John 6:27, 35). Despite what they claim, they are "workers of evil" (Luke 13:27). Most telling, they did not seek fellowship with Jesus in time. Their opportunity is lost, and so are they (Luke 13:26–27).

Most importantly, Jesus does not "know" where they come from. This doesn't mean that Jesus, God the Son, does not know all about their lives and origins. It means that He is from God (John 7:16, 29) and they are of their father the Devil (John 8:44). As Jesus says elsewhere, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world" (John 8:23). Since He does not fellowship with Satan, He cannot let them in.

Luke 13:22–30 records another of Jesus' teachings about the kingdom and salvation. In the previous pericope, He explained that the kingdom of God is close, easily accessible, and inevitable (Luke 13:18–21). Here, He explains that, although close, the way into the kingdom is very narrow. Many will think they have entered when they haven't. In the final story of this group, Jesus will mourn the Jews who should know to pass through the narrow door but refuse. Matthew includes similar lessons in several distinct teachings (Matthew 7:13–14, 22–23; 8:11–12; 19:30; 20:16; 25:10–12, 41).

Jesus uses real-world examples to show that tragedy and death can come to anyone, even the righteous. No one should delay in reconciling to God; time is running out. Jesus heals a woman in the synagogue, on the Sabbath, triggering an angry response. Jesus scolds the synagogue leader, then preaches about the inevitable spread of the gospel around the entire world. However, He also notes that most people will reject this message, including the people of Israel.

Luke 9:51—19:27 is sometimes called "Jesus' Travelogue to Jerusalem." The segment describes how Jesus prepared the disciples for their future as He approached His own death and resurrection. Interspersed are a few altercations with religious leaders. There are calls for the crowd to repent of their sins and reconcile with God before it's too late. In Luke 13, two stories in particular reveal Jesus' heart. In one, He heals a long-suffering woman on the Sabbath; healing is a type of rest. In the last, He mourns the fact that, for now, the Jews as a nation will reject their Messiah.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.