Luke 13
John Chapter 13 records the events of the night when Jesus, just before going to the cross, spends his last time with the disciples. This chapter can be divided into three main parts. First, the scene in which Jesus washes the disciples’ feet and shows an example of true service (verses 1–17). Second, the prediction of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal (verses 18–30). Third, the scene in which Jesus gives a new commandment and predicts Peter’s denial (verses 31–38). Each part contains Jesus’ love and deep care for the disciples, along with his final teachings for them.
1verseNow there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
2verseJesus answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things?
3verseI tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.
4verseOr 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?
5verseI tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”
6verseHe spoke this parable. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
7verseHe 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?’
8verseHe answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
9verseIf it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.’”
10verseHe was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day.
11verseBehold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years. She was bent over and could in no way straighten herself up.
12verseWhen Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.”
13verseHe laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight and glorified God.
14verseThe 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!”
15verseTherefore 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?
16verseOught not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”
17verseAs he said these things, all his adversaries were disappointed; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
18verseHe said, “What is God’s Kingdom like? To what shall I compare it?
19verseIt 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.”
20verseAgain he said, “To what shall I compare God’s Kingdom?
21verseIt is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”
22verseHe went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and traveling on to Jerusalem.
23verseOne said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?” He said to them,
24verse“Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in and will not be able.
25verseWhen 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.’
26verseThen you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’
27verseHe will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’
28verseThere 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.
29verseThey will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in God’s Kingdom.
30verseBehold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last.”
31verseOn that same day, some Pharisees came, saying to him, “Get out of here and go away, for Herod wants to kill you.”
32verseHe 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.
33verseNevertheless 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.’
34verse“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!
35verseBehold, 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!’”
The Event of Washing the Disciples’ Feet (Verses 1–17)
Before Jesus is arrested, the scene in which he personally washes the disciples’ feet is recorded only in the Gospel of John. This action was considered a lowly task that only servants or slaves would do in that society, and it shows that Jesus humbled himself and served and loved the disciples. In addition, Jesus says, “You also should wash one another’s feet” (verse 14), emphasizing the essence of service and the importance of humble love.
The Prediction of Judas’ Betrayal (Verses 18–30)
In this section, Jesus predicts that one of the disciples will betray him. The disciples are troubled because they do not know who it is, but it becomes clear that it is Judas Iscariot, who had received the bread from Jesus. This prediction shows that human weakness and God’s providence work together, and it reveals that Jesus knows everything about every situation.
The New Commandment and the Prediction of Peter’s Denial (Verses 31–38)
After Judas Iscariot leaves, Jesus gives the disciples a new commandment: “Love one another” (verse 34). This love is a sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated, and it is the key to showing that the disciples are Christ’s disciples in the world. Next, although Peter says that he will follow Jesus to the end of his life, Jesus predicts that he will deny him three times, reminding him of human limitations and the need for grace.
Meditation Points
- What is true love and service? Think about it.
- When I serve and love someone, reflect on how closely I am following Jesus’ example.
- From the way Jesus loved his disciples to the very end, take time to meditate on the depth of the Lord’s love.
Try Applying It to Me
- In the position or role I have, check whether I am practicing service and humility.
- Even in the midst of rejection, betrayal, and misunderstanding, ask for the strength to love steadfastly, and think about concrete ways to practice love for the people around you.
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