Luke 13:3

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 13:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.
Luke 13:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I tell you, nay, etc.,] They were not greater sinners than others of their neighbours, nor is it to be concluded from the bloody slaughter that was made of them; others might be much more deserving of such an end than they, who yet escaped it: but except ye repent; of sin, and particularly of the disbelief of the Messiah: ye shall likewise perish; or perish, in like manner, as these Galileans did: and so it came to pass in the destruction of Jerusalem, that great numbers of the unbelieving Jews, even three hundred thousand men were destroyed at the feast of passover f412; and that for sedition, as these men very likely were.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Suppose ye ... - From this answer it would appear that they supposed that the fact that these men had been slain in this manner proved that they were very great sinners. I tell you, Nay - Jesus assured them that it was not right to draw such a conclusion respecting these men. The fact that men come to a sudden and violent death is not proof that they are especially wicked. Except ye repent - Except you forsake your sins and turn to God. Jesus took occasion, contrary to their expectation, to make a practical use of that fact, and to warn them of their own danger. He never suffered a suitable occasion to pass without warning the wicked, and entreating them to forsake their evil ways. The…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye shall all likewise perish - All ye of Galilee and of Jerusalem shall perish in the very same manner. So the Greek word implies. And so they did. There was a remarkable resemblance between the fate of these Galileans and of the main body of the Jewish nation; the flower of which was slain at Jerusalem by the Roman sword, while they were assembled at one of their great festivals. And many thousands of them perished in the temple itself, and were literally buried under its ruins. Luke 13:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“except: Luk 13:5, Luk 24:47; Mat 3:2, Mat 3:10-12; Act 2:38-40, Act 3:19; Rev 2:21, Rev 2:22 ye shall: Luk 19:42-44, Luk 21:22-24, Luk 23:28-30; Mat 12:45, Mat 22:7, Mat 23:35-38, Mat 24:21-29 Luke 13:4”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification