A FATE WORSE THAN THAT OF THE WICKED GALILEANS (LUKE 13:1-5)

Dear Members in Christ,

A fate worse than that of the wicked Galileans (Luke 13:1-5)

In the study of the Gospels, there is a passage found in the Gospel of Luke which is interesting to Bible students. That is the passage taken from Luke 13:1-6 about the sudden and violent demise of a group of Galileans who were executed by the Romans under the order of the Governor Pilate. 

“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?” Luke 13:1,2

The context of Luke 13 is the continuity of the teaching of the Lord Jesus “when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people” (Luke 12:1). The Lord Jesus was teaching a mixed multitude of people, some of whom were unbelievers and doubters. The Lord Jesus began with the warning, “Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” The warning by the Lord Jesus to the people is about the hypocrisy and the false doctrines or leaven of the Pharisees. (Luke 12:1,56)

This crowd was not entirely receptive, but instead queried the Lord Jesus about the demise of the Galileans. This was a very pointed question as we shall see shortly.

A. The lesson of the sudden and violent demise

The Lord Jesus had been warning and teaching the crowd and the disciples about repentance, in order that they may avert the judgement of God. Only by faith in the Lord Jesus (the perfect lamb of God) for the forgiveness of sins can anyone be “passed over” by the judgement of God. This is directly opposed to the salvation by works, the false doctrines of the Pharisees. The Lord Jesus said,

“When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison. I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.” Luke 12:58,59

The subject of the judge and paying the very last mite perhaps has to do with the Rome regime at that time. The harsh taxation and other oppressive law enforced by the Romans was often the seed for rebellion. Perhaps these were rebel Galileans who were pounced upon when they went to offer their sacrifices and were summarily executed by the Romans.

Then there were the group of eighteen who died when the tower of Siloam collapse. The Lord Jesus’ question is, “Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?” And of the Siloam tower disaster he said, “think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?” (Luke 13:4b). The passage seems to suggest judgement for their misdeeds, but dare anyone think to be more righteous than these offenders? 

The Lord Jesus is bringing up a lesson which we are all familiar with, that besides the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is none righteous, no, not one! But there is a way, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the way to salvation.

B. An end worse than the demise of the poor Galileans and Siloamites

The Lord Jesus repeated the lesson of repentance before God as the way to salvation. He says in Luke 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” The same words were repeated in Luke 13:5 to emphasize the need for repentance.

Dearly beloved, the words of the Lord are clearly spoken. Christians be warned! A judgement far worse that those who suffer sudden violence or calamity awaits an unrepentant heart that will not receive the Gospel. 

The Lord Jesus taught that those who are judged and punished for crimes or offences suffer the rod of the law. If offenders receive just deserts for their earthly misdeeds, greater punishment awaits those who refuse to repent and receive salvation in the name of the Son of God.

The message is that God offers grace mercifully and freely, so make haste to repent and turn to God. If anyone has sinned, do not delay to repent and turn to God. Christians, if you have unsaved loved ones, delay not to show them the way of salvation in the Lord Jesus. Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor