Galileans?

Good Morning! 

Have you ever come across a passage of Scripture that perks your interest but there is no real answer that you can find?  I was reading Luke 13 this morning and became curious about the first few verses …

Luke 13:1-5 English Standard Version (ESV)

13 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

My question is what is the incident that the “some” is asking about?  There is no real answer available.  Here’s what GotQuestion says ..

We see glimpses in Scripture of how Galilee may have been a trouble spot for Roman rule. Gamaliel mentioned a failed revolt led by “Judas the Galilean” in Acts 5:37. In Luke 13:1–3, some people told Jesus about an incident involving Galileans: “Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices” (verse 1). Neither Scripture nor secular history gives any more details regarding this massacre, but it is likely that the Galileans, visiting Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, had been caught up in a nationalistic fervor and started a commotion on the temple mount. The Roman governor Pilate quickly and violently quelled the disturbance, killing the Galileans along with their sacrificial animals, perhaps as a public demonstration of how violators must “atone” for their “sins” against Rome.

Jesus responded to hearing about the massacre of the Galileans with a warning: “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:2–3). Instead of conjecturing on the Galileans’ sin, Jesus said, take care of your own sin. Everyone needs to repent.

I think this was a genuine question … that is, one without an underlying reason. If the supposition in GotQuestions is right, the question is whether God was punishing Galileans for their sins. Jesus’ response is to tell the questioners to refocus on their own sins.  Many of us look for an escape when our sins are revealed … deflecting our sins by comparison with others. Jesus understood this. He follows the question with the following parable …

6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

God is patient.  His desire is that all of us should come to Him.  He gives us ample opportunities to hear His voice and turn to Him.  Rather than focusing on another, each one of us must first evaluate our relationship with God.  

May God bless you this good, good day.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  Father, reprogram my mind to see my shortcomings first before focusing on others.  In Jesus’ Name … Amen.

Scripture for today:  Luke 13:4-9