Luke 23 31

Luke 23:31 kjv

For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

Luke 23:31 nkjv

For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?"

Luke 23:31 niv

For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Luke 23:31 esv

For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Luke 23:31 nlt

For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry? "

Luke 23 verses

Luke 23 31 Meaning

Luke 23:31 presents a poignant and ominous rhetorical question spoken by Jesus as He is being led to His crucifixion. The verse is a profound metaphor contrasting the suffering of the righteous with the inevitable and far more severe judgment awaiting the unrighteous. The "green tree" metaphorically represents Jesus Christ Himself, who is innocent, full of divine life, and embodies perfect righteousness. His current experience of brutal suffering and crucifixion, though undeserved, is described as "these things being done." The verse warns that if such immense suffering befalls the innocent, living, and productive "green tree," then an incomparably worse fate ("what shall be done") awaits the spiritually "dry" or barren tree. This "dry tree" represents unrepentant individuals, and particularly the unfaithful Jewish nation, especially Jerusalem, which has rejected its Messiah and is devoid of spiritual life. The implication is that if God permits such grievous suffering upon His sinless Son, the true and fruitful Vine, then the judgment on those who are spiritually barren, unproductive, and ripe for destruction will be far more terrible and complete. It foreshadows the catastrophic divine judgment that would come upon Jerusalem in 70 AD, signifying that if innocent life suffers, then death and destruction are the proper outcome for dead and withered branches.

Luke 23 31 Context

Luke 23:31 occurs during Jesus' journey to Golgotha, moments after His condemnation by Pilate and right before His crucifixion. He has just encountered a large group of women who are weeping for Him as He walks, presumably under the burden of the cross, towards His execution. Jesus turns to these women, not seeking their pity, but redirecting their grief from His immediate suffering to the far greater future suffering that awaits Jerusalem and its inhabitants. The verse immediately follows His instruction to "weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children," foreshadowing a period of immense tribulation. The statement in verse 31 provides a logical, albeit shocking, explanation for why they should weep for themselves – if such a grievous thing is happening to the innocent Messiah, then a catastrophic judgment awaits the truly culpable. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled with the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, which saw immense famine, siege, and slaughter, profoundly impacting the generation that rejected Jesus. The verse therefore encapsulates a crucial prophetic warning rooted in the spiritual state of Israel at the time.

Luke 23 31 Word analysis

• For if (εἰ γὰρ - ei gar): "For" introduces a reason or explanation for the preceding statement (Lk 23:28-30). "If" sets up a conditional clause, leading to a logical consequence. It signals a foundational premise for a subsequent, more dire reality. This conditional particle highlights a profound theological contrast between the present event and future retribution.
• they do these things (ποιεῖν ταῦτα - poiein tauta): "They" refers broadly to those who condemned and inflicted suffering upon Jesus: the Roman authorities, incited by the Jewish leaders and crowds. "These things" directly points to the horrific injustice and torture being perpetrated upon Jesus – the scourging, mockings, and the act of leading Him to crucifixion. This phrase emphasizes the unwarranted cruelty and the extreme nature of the sin being committed against absolute innocence.
• in a green tree (ἐν τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ - en tō hygrō xylō):
  • ὑγρῷ (hygrō): Meaning "moist," "fresh," "green." It signifies vitality, life, and fruitfulness. It stands in direct contrast to "dry."
  • ξύλῳ (xylō): Implied, meaning "wood" or "tree." The complete phrase metaphorically refers to Jesus. He is the "green tree" because He is alive, innocent, righteous, full of divine life, and brings forth the fruit of righteousness. He is the true Vine (Jn 15:1), the Tree of Life (Rev 22:2). The suffering inflicted upon such a vibrant, productive, and blameless being signifies an unfathomable degree of injustice. If God's beloved Son, who is inherently full of life, undergoes such severe pain, it reveals the depth of human depravity and the profound cosmic disruption His crucifixion entails.
• what shall be done (τί γενήσεται - ti genēsetai):
  • τί (ti): "What?" - a rhetorical interrogative expressing dread and the enormity of the unknown outcome. It implies something far greater and more terrifying.
  • γενήσεται (genēsetai): Future passive voice of "to become/happen." It indicates an event that will unfold or be brought about, often implying a divine agent behind the happening rather than purely human action. It signifies an unavoidable, future, divinely ordained consequence.
• in the dry (ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ - en tō xērō):
  • ξηρῷ (xērō): Meaning "dry," "withered," "barren," "parched." It denotes a state devoid of life, productivity, or spiritual vitality.
  • ξύλῳ (xylō): Again implied, "wood" or "tree." This refers metaphorically to the unrepentant people of Jerusalem and Israel. Spiritually speaking, they are like "dry trees" – fruitless, unrighteous, hardened in rebellion, devoid of the living water, and therefore ready for destruction. They are fit for the fire. The metaphor signifies that if the perfectly vital suffers so, then the lifeless and useless, having rejected life, will justly suffer an even more intense and annihilating judgment.

• Words-group Analysis:
  • "For if they do these things in a green tree": This clause establishes the shocking premise. "They" refers to humanity's actions against divine innocence. "These things" encapsulates the entire Passion of Christ. The "green tree" is the living, fruitful, innocent Jesus. This highlights the paradox: God allowed the perfectly righteous to suffer immensely, a profound mystery of redemption where sinless Christ endured the punishment for sinful humanity.
  • "what shall be done in the dry?": This rhetorical question warns of the future, inevitable, and greater judgment. If divine justice permits the agony of the innocent to accomplish redemption, how much more severe will be the righteous wrath upon the unrepentant guilty who rejected salvation? The "dry" symbolizes those who, by their own rejection and spiritual barrenness, have made themselves susceptible to divine consuming fire, mirroring the historical destruction of Jerusalem.

Luke 23 31 Bonus section

• Tree Imagery in Scripture: The "tree" metaphor is prevalent throughout Scripture, often symbolizing humanity, nations, or individuals in their relationship with God. From the Tree of Life in Genesis to trees yielding fruit in Psalms, Proverbs, and prophetic literature, its imagery speaks of righteousness, blessing, sustenance, and judgment. In the Old Testament, a tree bearing fruit is blessed (Psa 1:3), while one that is dry or withered signifies judgment (Isa 1:30, Ezek 20:47). Jesus' parable here taps into this deeply rooted biblical motif, connecting His personal suffering directly to the historical destiny of Jerusalem and, by extension, all who refuse spiritual fruitfulness.
• Implication for Persecution: The verse provides a somber lens through which to view suffering, particularly righteous suffering. If Christ, the truly "green tree," suffered such horrors, His followers, who may be righteous "green trees" in their measure by union with Him, should not expect to escape hardship or even persecution (Jn 15:20; 2 Tim 3:12). However, their suffering for righteousness contrasts sharply with the ultimate divine judgment awaiting those who are persecutors and remain spiritually "dry."
• Future Consummation: While the primary historical fulfillment of "what shall be done in the dry" was Jerusalem's fall in 70 AD, the theological principle extends to the ultimate eschatological judgment. All who are found "dry" – without the life of Christ – will face an eternal, far more severe reckoning. The verse warns against spiritual complacency and calls for urgent repentance.

Luke 23 31 Commentary

Luke 23:31 is a vivid parabolic warning from Jesus, uttered on His path to crucifixion. It serves as a stark metaphor illustrating the principle of divine judgment. The "green tree" represents Jesus, innocent and full of life, undergoing unjust suffering and torture. This is an unparalleled act of divine allowance—the perfectly righteous suffering such extremities. The rhetorical question, "what shall be done in the dry?", compels the listener to consider the consequences for those who are spiritually "dry"—unfruitful, barren, and hardened in their rejection of God's ways. If Christ's unparalleled, undeserved suffering for sin (the "green tree" enduring punishment for the sake of reconciliation) is this severe, then the judgment reserved for the genuinely guilty, those ripe for destruction (the "dry tree"), will be infinitely worse. This primarily foreshadowed the devastating judgment on Jerusalem in 70 AD, a direct consequence of their corporate rejection of the Messiah. It also carries a broader, timeless implication: if the price for redemption for the innocent Christ was so immense, the fate awaiting unrepentant sinners, who remain dead in their sins, will be terrifying and absolute. It highlights the severity of sin and the gravity of rejecting God's ultimate provision.