Luke 13:31 - Meaning and Application

Here, first, some Pharisees, who were spread throughout the nation, warned Jesus about Herod. They came with the outward show of friendship and concern, saying, “Get away from here, because Herod wants to kill you” (Luke 13:31). Some think this was a lie they invented to push Jesus out of Galilee, where he had growing support, and into Judea, where they knew people truly wanted him dead. But Jesus’ reply is aimed at Herod himself, so it seems Herod really was angry with him, likely because Jesus had honored John the Baptist and the message of repentance John preached.

Jesus showed no fear of Herod’s anger or the Pharisees’ warning. He said, “Go tell that fox” (Luke 13:32). By calling Herod a fox, Jesus gave his true character. Herod was crafty, treacherous, base, and destructive, like a fox that hunts from a distance. This strong word did not break God’s law about honoring rulers, because Jesus was speaking as a prophet, and prophets were sent to rebuke kings and great men. Still, this is not a model for us to copy.

Jesus then made it clear that Herod could not stop his mission. He knew he must die soon, and he expected it. That made death less frightening, because what is familiar is less alarming. He also knew that death would not harm him, but would bring him to the completion of his work. In that sense, his death would be his consecration, his setting apart for the full offering of himself.

He also knew that no one could kill him before his work was finished. So he said he would keep casting out demons and healing “today and tomorrow,” meaning for a short time yet, in spite of Herod’s threats. He must keep going on the path appointed for him. This is a good reminder for us, too. We should think of the time ahead as short, perhaps only a few days, so we may do today’s work faithfully. It is also a comfort that enemies cannot take us away before God has finished what he gave us to do.

Jesus added that Herod could not really harm him, because the place appointed for his death was Jerusalem, not Galilee. “It cannot be that a prophet should perish outside Jerusalem” (Luke 13:33). If a true prophet was put to death, he was usually accused as a false prophet. But only the great Sanhedrin, the chief Jewish court, sat in Jerusalem and judged such matters. So if a prophet was to be killed, it would happen there.

Then Jesus wept over Jerusalem and spoke words of judgment against the city (Luke 13:34-35). The gospel writer includes these words here because Jesus had just spoken about dying in Jerusalem. The wickedness of people and places that claim to belong to God is especially painful to the Lord Jesus. He speaks sorrowfully of that holy city: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem!”

Those who have many means of grace, but do not profit from them, often become worse because of them. Jerusalem refused the prophets, rejected those God sent, and killed and stoned them. If people’s sinful hearts are not softened, they are only stirred up. Yet Jesus showed a real and willing desire to receive and protect poor sinners who come to him. He said he would have gathered Jerusalem’s children as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, with deep care and tenderness.

The reason sinners are not sheltered and cared for by Christ, as chicks are by a hen, is that they will not come. “I would, I often would, and you would not.” Christ’s willingness makes human refusal even worse and leaves the blame on sinners themselves. When Christ leaves a house, that house is left empty and ruined. Even if the temple looked splendid and was full of activity, it was desolate once Christ had withdrawn from it. He leaves it to those who prized it above him and would not have him rule there.

Christ also justly turns away from those who drive him away. Since they would not be gathered by him, he said they would not see him again until they acknowledged him at the end. This is like Moses speaking to Pharaoh when Pharaoh refused him any longer (Exodus 10:28-29). In the great day of judgment, stubborn unbelievers will finally be convinced, even if they refuse to be convinced now. Then they will say, “Blessed is he who comes,” meaning they will at last be glad to join those who honor him, but they will realize it too late that he is the Messiah.