Luke 13:31 kjv

The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.

Luke 13:31 nkjv

On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, "Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You."

Luke 13:31 niv

At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you."

Luke 13:31 esv

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you."

Luke 13:31 nlt

At that time some Pharisees said to him, "Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!"

Luke 13 verses

Luke 13 31 Meaning

Luke 13:31 recounts a moment when some Pharisees warn Jesus that Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, intends to kill Him. This surprising intervention from the generally hostile religious group indicates the escalating danger surrounding Jesus' ministry and His growing prominence, which had evidently caught Herod's attention. The verse sets the stage for Jesus' resolute declaration that His divine mission and ultimate fate in Jerusalem will proceed according to God's timetable, unaffected by any earthly ruler's threats.

Luke 13 31 Context

Luke chapter 13 begins with Jesus' teachings on the need for repentance, using recent tragedies (Pilate's slaughter of Galileans and the collapse of the Siloam tower) to emphasize that disaster strikes all, and the solution is repentance, not judging others' sinfulness. He follows this with the parable of the barren fig tree, illustrating delayed judgment and God's patience. Before the warning in verse 31, Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath, sparking conflict with a synagogue ruler, and then teaches parables of the mustard seed and leaven, highlighting the unexpected growth of the Kingdom. The warning about Herod thus intrudes on a period of intense teaching and healing, immediately before Jesus speaks more about the narrow door and Jerusalem's fate. Historically, Galilee was under Herod Antipas, a tetrarch known for his suspicion, ruthlessness (seen in John the Baptist's execution), and paranoia concerning popular movements, especially those with spiritual or potentially political implications. Jesus' widespread influence posed a direct challenge to Herod's fragile authority, explaining Herod's "want" to eliminate Him.

Luke 13 31 Word analysis

• "At that very hour" (Gk. En autē tē hōra): Denotes immediate and precise timing. It highlights the suddenness and urgency of the warning, emphasizing a specific, critical juncture in Jesus' ministry.
• "some Pharisees" (Gk. tines tōn Pharisaiōn): The word "some" is significant. It suggests this was not a collective, unified action by all Pharisees, who were largely adversarial towards Jesus. Their motives are open to interpretation: possibly genuine concern due to Herod's reputation, a manipulative ploy to drive Jesus into a more controllable jurisdiction (Judea/Jerusalem), or an attempt to instill fear.
• "came" (Gk. prosēlthon): Implies an intentional approach, they sought Jesus out.
• "and said to Him" (Gk. legontes autō): A direct address, conveying an authoritative or urgent tone from their perspective.
• "Get out" (Gk. Exelthe): A strong imperative verb meaning "depart" or "go out." It conveys an urgent command for immediate action.
• "and go away from here" (Gk. kai poreuou enteuthen): Reinforces the urgency to leave the specific location. "Enteuthen" (from here) is quite specific, implying a need to exit the current region (Galilee).
• "for Herod" (Gk. hoti Hērōdēs): Introduces the reason for the command. This is Herod Antipas, the tetrarch, infamous for executing John the Baptist.
• "wants to kill You" (Gk. thelei se apokteinai): "Thelei" (wants/wishes/intends) signifies Herod's settled intent or desire, not merely a passing thought or empty threat. "Apokteinai" means "to kill, to slay," a stark and direct threat to Jesus' life.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "At that very hour some Pharisees came": The juxtaposition of "very hour" with "some Pharisees" introduces a dramatic, unexpected turn. The identity of the informants (Pharisees) adds intrigue given their general opposition, forcing a reader to consider their motivation.
• "'Get out and go away from here, for Herod wants to kill You'": This is a direct, urgent, and unambiguous warning. The gravity of the threat from a known brutal ruler like Herod explains the command to flee, while simultaneously setting the stage for Jesus' counter-response affirming His divinely appointed path and unswerving commitment to it.

Luke 13 31 Bonus section

• Herod's "want" to kill Jesus likely stemmed from a combination of political expediency (fearing Jesus' popular movement as a threat to his rule), personal superstition (wondering if Jesus was John the Baptist resurrected), and sheer tyrannical impulse.
• The fact that it was Pharisees who delivered the warning is notable. It suggests a complex, sometimes nuanced relationship between Jesus and certain elements within the Pharisaic movement, or perhaps a pragmatic decision on their part to push Jesus out of their local jurisdiction rather than have Him arrested under Herod's volatile authority. It also potentially highlights the diverse opinions and political strategies present within the Pharisaic movement itself.
• This verse provides further insight into the political and social unrest in Galilee under Roman proxy rule, a context often overlooked in simple theological readings. Jesus' ministry operated amidst a volatile blend of religious tradition and imperial political realities.

Luke 13 31 Commentary

Luke 13:31 acts as a pivotal moment, shifting the narrative focus from Jesus' teachings within Galilee to the impending political and personal dangers He faced, ultimately pointing towards Jerusalem. The warning, delivered unexpectedly by "some Pharisees," whose intentions are debated, underscores Herod Antipas's paranoia and capacity for violence, previously demonstrated by John the Baptist's execution. More importantly, this external threat provides a stark contrast to Jesus' sovereign and determined response in the subsequent verses (Lk 13:32-33). He did not flee in fear but reaffirmed His divinely orchestrated timetable and destiny, declaring that no earthly power, even Herod, could derail His path to Jerusalem, where His mission of casting out demons, performing cures, and ultimately facing death would be completed. This encounter showcases Jesus' unwavering resolve and control over His mission, demonstrating that His passion was not an unforeseen tragedy, but a deliberate act in line with God's sovereign will.