Devine Scripture

Luke 13:2

What does Luke 13:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 13:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 13:2 means

Jesus directly challenges the common assumption that those who suffer tragedy must be exceptionally sinful. He asks whether the Galileans who died violently were worse sinners than all other Galileans simply because of their fate. This question probes the understanding of divine justice prevalent at the time, which often linked misfortune directly and exclusively to the severity of personal sin. Jesus immediately begins to dismantle this flawed theological framework.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they have suffered these things?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they have suffered these things?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he, in answer, said to them, Are you of the opinion that these Galilaeans were worse than all other Galilaeans, because these things were done to them?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Jesus answering said to them, `Think ye that these Galileans became sinners beyond all the Galileans, because they have suffered such things?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he answering, said to them: Think you that these Galileans were sinners above all the men of Galilee, because they suffered such things?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he answering said to them, Think ye that these Galileans were sinners beyond all the Galileans because they suffered such things?

Context

Following the report of the Galilean tragedy in verse 1, Jesus immediately responds by engaging with the implied theological question. He doesn't confirm or deny the relative sinfulness but instead shifts the focus. This verse introduces Jesus' direct confrontation of the idea that suffering is always a direct punishment for greater individual sin, setting the stage for His call to universal repentance.

v.1Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

v.2This passage

v.3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 28:4

    And when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live.

  • Job 22:5

    Is not thy wickedness great? Neither is there any end to thine iniquities.

  • Luke 13:4

    Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were offenders above all the men that dwell in Jerusalem?

  • John 9:2

    And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind?

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