What does Luke 13:31-35 mean?

³¹ The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. ³² And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. ³³ Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. ³⁴ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! ³⁵ Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Luke 13:31-35 KJV)

Lament over Jerusalem

Here is,

I. A suggestion to Christ of his danger from Herod, now that he was in Galilee, within Herod’s jurisdiction (Luke 13:31). Certain Pharisees came to Christ, pretending to be concerned for his safety, and said, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” Some think they made this up to drive him out of Galilee, where he was gaining followers, and into Judea, where others truly sought his life. But since Christ’s reply was directed at Herod himself, it seems the threat was real—Herod, upset by Jesus’ support of John the Baptist and his message of repentance, wanted to get rid of him. Not daring to kill him outright, Herod hoped to scare him off with this warning.

II. Christ’s response shows he feared neither Herod nor the Pharisees. “Go and tell that fox,” he said (Luke 13:32). By calling him a fox, Jesus gave him his true character—cunning, treacherous, and dangerous while keeping his distance. Though the description is sharp, it was appropriate. As a prophet—and more than a prophet, the King of kings—Christ had authority to speak this way to rulers. But this isn’t an example for everyone to follow.

“Go and tell that fox—and the Pharisee who brought this message too—that I’m not afraid of him or his threats. For…”

1. “I know I must die, and soon. I expect it, and I’m prepared for it. My time is almost here.” Recognizing death as inevitable and near helps free us from the fear of it. Thinking often about it prepares us to face it. “If Herod kills me, he won’t be surprising me.”

2. “I know death will not harm me—it will complete my mission. When I die, I will be perfected; my work will be finished” (Hebrews 2:10). Christ consecrated himself to his priestly role by his death, offering himself up as the final sacrifice.
3. “I know no one, including Herod, can harm me until my work is done. Tell him I’m not moved by his threats. I’ll continue casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and for a short while longer.”
   Jesus wasn’t speaking literally about three days, but about a limited time that remained for his work. It’s a good reminder for us to see our time as short so we will make the most of it. And it comforts us to know that no enemy can take us before our time. The witnesses in Revelation weren’t killed until they had finished their testimony (Revelation 11:7).
4. “I know Herod can’t harm me not only because my time isn’t up, but because the place where I’m meant to die is Jerusalem, not Galilee. It wouldn’t be right for a prophet to die anywhere but Jerusalem” (Luke 13:33).

If a prophet was to be put to death, the great Sanhedrin—based in Jerusalem—handled such cases. That’s where prophets were judged, and often condemned.

III. Christ’s lament for Jerusalem and his warning of its coming judgment (Luke 13:34–35). This passage is also found in Matthew 23:37–39. Perhaps Luke places it here because of Christ’s reference to his coming death at Jerusalem.

1. Jesus grieves especially over the sins and destruction of those who claim to belong to God. His words about Jerusalem are full of sorrow: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem!”
2. When people have many opportunities to hear the truth and aren’t changed by it, they often become hardened against it. Those who wouldn’t listen to the prophets ended up killing them. If sin isn’t conquered, it fights back.
3. Jesus always showed himself ready and willing to receive anyone who came to him for refuge: “How often I would have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings!”
4. The reason people aren’t protected and cared for by Christ is not that he is unwilling, but that they are. “I would have gathered you, but you were not willing.” His willingness highlights their stubborn refusal, and makes them responsible for their own ruin.
5. Any place Christ departs from is left desolate. The temple, no matter how beautiful or full, is empty without his presence. He leaves it to them. They had idolized it—now let them have it without him.
6. Christ withdraws from those who reject him. Since they refused to be gathered by him, he says, “You will not see me again,” just as Moses said to Pharaoh when Pharaoh rejected his presence (Exodus 10:28–29).
7. On the day of judgment, unbelievers who would not believe now will be fully convinced. “Then you will say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’” (Luke 13:35). You’ll want to be among those who welcome me then—but it will be too late.