1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:1-3 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
There were two eminent sects among the Jews in our Saviour’s time, namely, the Herodians and Galileans; the former stood stiffly for having tribute paid to the Roman emperor, whose subjects the Jews now were; but the Galileans (so called probably from Judas of Galilee, mentioned Ac 5:37) opposed this tribute, and often raised rebellion against the Roman power. Pilate takes the opportunity, when these Galileans were come up at the Passover and sacrificing in the temple, to fall upon them with his soldiers, and barbarously mingled their own blood with the blood of the sacrifices which they offered; neither the holiness of the place (the temple) nor the sacredness of the action (sacrificing) could divert Pilate from his barbarous impiety. Our Saviour, understanding that some of his hearers then present concluded these persons to be the greatest sinners because they were the greatest sufferers, he corrects their errors in this matter, and assures them, that the same or like judgments did hang over all other sinners, as well as these, if timely and sincere repentance prevented not.
Learn hence,
1. That a violent and sudden death is no argument of God’s disfavor.
2. That notwithstanding persons are exceedingly prone to pass rash censures and an uncharitable judgment upon such as die suddenly, especially if they die violently.
3. That none justly can conclude such persons to have been the greatest sinners, who have been in this world the most signal sufferers.
4. That the best use we can make of such instances and examples of God’s severity is to examine our own lives and, by speedy repentance, prevent our own perdition: I tell you, Nay, etc.
BURKITT | Luke 13:1-3 | Luke 13:4-5 | Luke 13:6-7 | Luke 13:8-9 | Luke 13:10-17 | Luke 13:18-21 | Luke 13:22-24 | Luke 13:25-30 | Luke 13:31-33 | Luke 13:34-35 |