Luke - 13:5



5 I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way."

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Luke 13:5.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.
No, I say to you, but if ye repent not, ye shall all perish in like manner.
I tell you, No; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
No, I say to you, but, if ye may not reform, all ye in like manner shall perish.'
I tell you, certainly not. On the contrary, if you do not repent you will all perish just as they did."
I say to you, It is not so: but if your hearts are not changed, you will all come to an end in the same way.
No, I tell you. But if you do not repent, you will all perish similarly."

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

I tell you, Nay - It is improper to suppose that those on whom heavy judgments fall in this world are the worst of people. This is not a world of retribution. Often the most wicked are suffered to prosper here, and their punishment is reserved for another world; while the righteous are called to suffer much, and "appear" to be under the sore displeasure of God, Ps. 73. This only we know, that the wicked will not always escape; that God is just; and that none who do suffer here or hereafter, suffer more than they deserve. In the future world, all that seems to be unequal here will be made equal and plain.

Ye shall all likewise perish - Ὡσαυτως, ὁμοιως, In a like way, in the same manner. This prediction of our Lord was literally fulfilled. When the city was taken by the Romans, multitudes of the priests, etc., who were going on with their sacrifices, were slain, and their blood mingled with the blood of their victims; and multitudes were buried under the ruins of the walls, houses, and temple. See Josephus, War, b. vi. ch. iv., v., vi.; and see the notes on Matthew 24 (note).
It is very wrong to suppose that those who suffer by the sword, or by natural accidents, are the most culpable before God. An adequate punishment for sin cannot be inflicted in this world: what God does here, in this way, is in general:
1st, through mercy, to alarm others;
2, to show his hatred to sin;
3, to preserve in men's minds a proper sense of his providence and justice; and
4, to give sinners, in one or two particular instances, a general specimen of the punishment that awaits all the perseveringly impenitent.

I tell you, nay,.... I affirm it, and you may depend upon it, they were not greater sinners than others: though such a melancholy accident befell them, not without the providence of God:
but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish; or perish in the same manner; that is, shall be buried under the ruins of the city and temple of Jerusalem, when one stone should not be left upon another; just as these eighteen men were buried under the ruins of the tower of Siloam, of which it was a pledge and emblem; and accordingly great numbers of them did perish in the temple, and were buried under the ruins of it (d).
(d) Joseph. de Bello Jude. l. 6. c. 4.

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