Devine Scripture

Luke 13:3

What does Luke 13:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 13:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 13:3 means

Jesus emphatically denies the idea that the Galileans died because they were worse sinners. Instead, He uses their tragic end as a stark warning to everyone present, including His disciples, about the urgent need for repentance. He proclaims that unless people change their hearts and turn to God, they too will suffer a similar fate of perishing. This emphasizes that disaster is a universal call to self-examination and spiritual transformation, not an indictment of those who suffer.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

I say to you, It is not so: but if your hearts are not changed, you will all come to the same end.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

No--I say to you, but, if ye may not reform, all ye even so shall perish.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

No, I say to you: but unless you shall do penance, you shall all likewise perish.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

No, I say to you, but if ye repent not, ye shall all perish in the same manner.

Context

Having questioned the prevailing belief about sin and suffering in verse 2, Jesus now delivers a profound spiritual principle. This verse clarifies that the recent calamity is not primarily about the sinfulness of the victims but about the universal human need for repentance. It transitions from a specific event to a timeless spiritual truth, preparing the listener for further examples that reinforce this urgency.

v.2And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they have suffered these things?

v.3This passage

v.4Or 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?

Cross references

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

  • Luke 24:47

    and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name unto all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

  • Matthew 24:21

    for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.

  • Matthew 22:7

    But the king was wroth; and he sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

  • Luke 21:22

    For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

  • Matthew 3:10

    And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

  • Acts 3:19

    Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Luke 13

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Luke 13.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Luke 13:3.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary