Chapter 13

1At that very time, some people came and told Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate, the Roman governor, had killed, mixing their blood with their sacrifices.

2Jesus answered them, “Do you think those Galileans suffered this because they were more sinful than all the other Galileans?

3No, I tell you. But unless all of you change your hearts and lives, you will perish in the same way.

4Or think about the eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them. Do you think they were more guilty than everyone else living in Jerusalem?

5No, I tell you. But unless all of you change your hearts and lives, you will perish just as they did.”

6Then Jesus told this story: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for fruit on it but found none.

7So he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and found none. Cut it down! Why should it keep wasting the soil?’

8But the gardener answered, ‘Sir, leave it for one more year. I will dig around it and put manure on it.

9If it bears fruit next year, well and good. If not, then you can cut it down.’”

10On one Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue.

11A woman was there who had suffered for eighteen years from a spirit that made her weak. She was bent over and could not straighten herself at all.

12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you have been set free from your illness.”

13He placed his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight and began praising God.

14But the synagogue leader was angry because Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath. He told the crowd, “There are six days when people should work. Come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath!”

15Jesus answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you untie your ox or donkey from its feeding trough on the Sabbath, lead it away, and give it water?

16This woman is a descendant of Abraham, and Satan, the spiritual enemy, kept her bound for eighteen years. Shouldn’t she have been set free from this bondage on the Sabbath?”

17When Jesus said this, all his opponents were humiliated. But the whole crowd rejoiced over all the wonderful things he was doing.

18So Jesus said, “What is God’s reign—his rule as king—like? What can I compare it to?

19It is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky nested in its branches.”

20Jesus said again, “What can I compare God’s reign to?

21It is like yeast that a woman worked into three measures—about forty liters—of flour, until the yeast spread through the whole batch.”

22Jesus continued toward Jerusalem, passing through towns and villages and teaching along the way.

23Someone asked him, “Master, will only a few people ultimately be rescued by God?” Jesus answered the people,

24“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. I tell you, many will try to enter and will not be able.

25Once the owner of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside and knock, saying, ‘Sir, open the door for us!’ But he will answer, ‘I do not know where you come from.’

26Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’

27But the owner will tell you, ‘I do not know where you come from. Get away from me, all of you who do wrong!’

28There you will weep and grind your teeth in anguish when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all who spoke as God’s prophets sharing in God’s reign, while you yourselves are thrown outside.

29People will come from east and west, from north and south, and take their places at the feast under God’s reign.

30Some who are now last will be first, and some who are now first will be last.”

31At that time, some Pharisees, members of a Jewish religious movement, came to Jesus and said, “Leave this place and go somewhere else, because Herod, the regional ruler, wants to kill you.”

32Jesus told them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Listen, I am driving out evil spirits and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’

33Nevertheless, I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, because surely a prophet cannot be killed anywhere but Jerusalem.

34Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone the messengers sent to you. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

35Look, your house is left to you. I tell you, you will certainly not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘May God bless the one who comes with his authority!’”