Luke 13:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”

NIV: At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, 'Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.'

NASB: At that very time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, 'Go away and leave this place, because Herod wants to kill You.'

CSB: At that time some Pharisees came and told him, "Go, get out of here. Herod wants to kill you."

NLT: At that time some Pharisees said to him, 'Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!'

KJV: The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.

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

This is a curious verse which Luke uses to set up Jesus' upcoming words. Jesus is traveling toward Jerusalem, but He is still in Galilee, one of Herod Antipas's territories. Pharisees warn Jesus that Antipas wants to kill Him. Their concern is odd since they have been baiting Him, trying to get Him to say something so egregious they can legitimately have Him executed (Luke 11:53–54). Most likely, the men are trying to intimidate Jesus; they hope He will run for His life and abandon His mission.

Herod Antipas is one of the many sons of Herod the Great. His territory includes two unconnected districts: Galilee and Perea. Galilee is north of Samaria, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Perea is southeast, across the Jordan Sea from Samaria and the Dead Sea. Most likely, Jesus is still in Galilee because he is in Antipas's territory and there are more Jews in Galilee than Perea, hence more Pharisees.

Herod Antipas is still confused about who Jesus is. He wonders if Jesus is John the Baptist returned to life while others in his court think He is Elijah or another prophet (Luke 9:7–9). It's unlikely Antipas knows that the wife of his own household manager is funding Jesus' ministry (Luke 8:3). In Antiquities 18.7.2, Josephus wrote that Antipas was desperate to keep peace in his territory. He and his wife Herodias want nothing more than for the emperor to recognize them as king and queen. Allowing a traveling teacher to start a revolt would not look good.

During Jesus' trials, when Pilate is trying to avoid being the one to authorize Jesus' crucifixion, Pilate will realize Jesus is from Antipas's territory and send him to meet his "king." Although Antipas has been desperately wanting to meet Jesus, Jesus will say nothing. Antipas will mock Jesus and ironically dress Him as king before returning Him to Pilate (Luke 23:6–12).

Luke 13:31–35 concludes the first group of Jesus' teachings. These included a miracle followed by lessons about salvation and the kingdom of God. Having explained that the kingdom is near but the opportunity to enter is limited and the door is narrow, Jesus describes that door by prophesying His death and resurrection. He then mourns for the Jews in Jerusalem who will refuse to enter. Next is a similar section that begins with a Sabbath healing and includes more teachings about the kingdom and salvation (Luke 14:1—15:32). A similar lament is recorded in Matthew 23:37–39.

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.