Daily Gospel Digest - Luke 13:31-35

Thursday, 31 October 2024 - week 30 in Ordinary Time - Year B

From the Gospel according to Luke 13:31-35

Some Pharisees came up to Jesus. ‘Go away’ they said. ‘Leave this place, because Herod means to kill you.’ He replied, ‘You may go and give that fox this message: Learn that today and tomorrow I cast out devils and on the third day attain my end. But for today and tomorrow and the next day I must go on, since it would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem.

  ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused! So be it! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me till the time comes when you say:

‘Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!’

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

The passage portrays a unique account of Jesus's determination to fulfil His mission and a lament over Jerusalem. The passage is located within a section where Jesus teaches and healing on His journey toward Jerusalem. Before this section, in Luke 13:22-30, Jesus is answering the question about whether only a few will be saved, and He gives a stern warning about the narrow door of salvation.

In comparison to other Gospels, Luke is unique in its warning to Jesus about Herod's plot. This highlights Luke's portrayal of Jesus as a prophet embarking on a journey to Jerusalem despite knowing the risk.

Jesus's response to the Pharisees further emphasizes His fearless commitment to His mission. He refers to Herod as "that fox," a term often used to describe cunning individuals. His message, however, is not of fear but of determination, stating His intent to "cast out devils" and "attain His end".

The lament over Jerusalem is also found in Matthew 23:37-39, but Luke places it here, before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, to further underline the prophetic character of Jesus's journey.