Galileans Are Slain By Pilate. Luke 13:1-5

Transcription

1 1 Galileans Are Slain By Pilate Luke 13:1-5

2 2 Text: Luke 13:1-5, Galileans Slain By Pilate 1. There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3. I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5. I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Commentary: Note: The events of this chapter date to the final tour of Jesus prior to his crucifixion. Luke 13:1, There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. I. Some present at this time told Jesus of certain Galileans who were slain by order of Pilate and whose blood, in the process of their being slaughtered, was mixed with their sacrifices. A. Only Luke among the gospel writers relates this event. No reference is made to this occurrence by Josephus nor other historians of the time. B. Where did these murders occur. It was likely in Jerusalem in conjunction with temple worship.

3 3 C. The bearers of this message seemed to be telling Jesus that they were righteous, not wicked sinners like the slain Galileans. II. Jesus had been preaching repentance. A. These people were evidently saying they were not sinners like these slain Galileans. B. They contended that they did not need to repent. Luke 13:2, And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I. Jesus responded, Don t think these slain Galileans were more wicked than other Galileans because they suffered death at the hands of Pilate. A. This is exactly what they thought; that is, that the slain Galileans were far more wicked than others. B. They believed that every calamity a person experiences could be regarded as punishment for his sins. 1. Job s friends held this view. 2. Acts 28:4, And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the seas, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 3. John 9:2, And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 4. The apostles evidently shared this false belief.

4 4 C. All the troubles of mankind are caused by sin, but not necessarily our own individual sins. 1. Some suffer for the sins of others. 2. Some appear to suffer for no apparent reason. 3. Sometimes individual sins do cause personal suffering. 4. Suffering is not proof that personal sins are responsible for individual trouble. Luke 13:3, I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. I. Jesus declared that those who thought they were righteous, those who had brought Jesus the news of the deaths of the Galileans also needed to repent. A. Jesus told us all, Repent or perish! B. That is our choice! C. Beware of the false security of self-righteousness, the delusion of comparative righteousness. II. All of the rebellious first century Jews would be likewise slaughtered in A.D. 70 by the Romans at the destruction of Jerusalem, Masada and the end of the entire nation of Israel. A. John Wesley, There was a remarkable resemblance between the fate of these Galilaeans and of the main body of the Jewish nation... They were slain by the Roman sword... perished in the temple itself, and literally buried under its ruins.

5 5 Luke 13:4, Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I. Jesus cited here another similar example. A. The tower in Siloam in conjunction with the pool of Siloam in Jerusalem fell and killed eighteen (18) people. B. Josephus wrote, Pilate expended the sacred treasure... upon the aqueducts, whereby he brought water from a distance of four hundred furlongs into the city. C. Evidently the incident mentioned by Jesus was in connection with this construction. D. If these were workers it is readily seen that the Jews would have regarded them as especially sinful because they were working for the hated Romans and being paid with money from the sacred treasury taken by force by Pilate. II. Jesus did not agree that these eighteen were killed because of their sins. A. It was accidental with no direct connection to individual sins on the part of the slain. B. These eighteen were not more wicked than others living in Jerusalem at the time.

6 6 Luke 13:5, I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. I. Jesus again strongly asserted,... unless you repent, you too will all perish. NIV A. This is a word for word repetition of what was said in verse 3. This is for emphasis indicating how important repentance really is! B. This matter of repentance is essential to salvation! Repent or eternally perish!

7 7 Galileans Are Slain By Pilate Questions 1. Only tells us of whose blood had with their. 2. When were these people killed? What were the circumstances? 3. Were these Galileans the worse sinners in Galilee at that time? 4. Do you agree with Job s friends that we bring troubles on ourselves by our sins? 5. Jesus said,... except you, you will all likewise (just like the ) will. people were killed when the of fell on them.

8 When did this happen? What were the circumstances surrounding this event? 7. Were these on whom the tower fell the worse sinners in Jerusalem at this time? If not, why did the tower fall on them? 8. Verses 3 and 5 are identical. Why did Jesus say the same exact thing in such close proximity? 9. Of what specific sins do you need to repent right now?