King James Version

What Does Luke 13:1 Mean?

Luke 13:1 in the King James Version says “There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrif...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.”

Luke 13:1 · KJV

Context

1

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

2

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

3

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Read Luke 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse introduces a tragic incident where Pilate had Galilean worshipers killed during their sacrifices, mingling their blood with the temple offerings. The people reporting this to Jesus likely expected Him to condemn Pilate's brutality and affirm these victims as martyrs. However, Jesus uses this tragedy to teach about universal human sinfulness and the urgent need for repentance. The incident reveals Pilate's characteristic cruelty (later displayed at Christ's trial) and the political tensions between Rome and Jewish religious practice. Jesus refuses to engage in political commentary, instead redirecting to eternal spiritual realities—all people face divine judgment unless they repent.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pontius Pilate served as Roman prefect of Judea (AD 26-36) and was known for insensitivity to Jewish customs and brutal suppression of disturbances. Josephus records similar incidents of Pilate's violence. This particular event, otherwise unrecorded in history, involved Galileans (from Jesus' home region) who had traveled to Jerusalem for temple worship. That Pilate would murder people during sacrificial worship demonstrates his contempt for Jewish religion. The incident would have inflamed Jewish resentment of Roman occupation and raised questions about why God would allow such sacrilege.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' response to this tragedy challenge contemporary tendencies to view suffering as divine punishment for specific sins?
  2. In what ways does Jesus redirect political outrage toward personal spiritual examination?
  3. How does this passage teach that all people equally deserve judgment apart from repentance?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
Παρῆσαν1 of 21

“There were present”

G3918

to be near, i.e., at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural) property

δέ2 of 21
G1161

but, and, etc

τινες3 of 21

“some”

G5100

some or any person or object

ἐν4 of 21

“at”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτῶν5 of 21

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τῷ6 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καιρῷ7 of 21
G2540

an occasion, i.e., set or proper time

ἀπαγγέλλοντες8 of 21

“that told”

G518

to announce

αὐτῶν9 of 21

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

περὶ10 of 21

“of”

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τῶν11 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Γαλιλαίων12 of 21

“the Galilaeans”

G1057

galilean or belonging to galilea

ὧν13 of 21

“whose”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

τὸ14 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἷμα15 of 21

“blood”

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

Πιλᾶτος16 of 21

“Pilate”

G4091

close-pressed, i.e., firm; pilatus, a roman

ἔμιξεν17 of 21

“had mingled”

G3396

to mix

μετὰ18 of 21

“with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τῶν19 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θυσιῶν20 of 21

“sacrifices”

G2378

sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively)

αὐτῶν21 of 21

“him”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 13:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 13:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Peter 4:17-18Lamentations 2:20Ezekiel 9:5-7Acts 5:37Matthew 27:2

Places in This Verse

Galilee 1Region · Modern: Galilee · 32.76°N, 35.53°E78 verses across 10 books
View all places in Luke 13 →

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