Luke Chapter 13 · Verse 1
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.
Original Language Analysis
Παρῆσαν
There were present
G3918
Παρῆσαν
There were present
Strong's:
G3918
Word #:
1 of 21
to be near, i.e., at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural) property
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 21
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
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 21
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
περὶ
of
G4012
περὶ
of
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὧν
whose
G3739
ὧν
whose
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
13 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἷμα
blood
G129
αἷμα
blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
15 of 21
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' response to this tragedy challenge contemporary tendencies to view suffering as divine punishment for specific sins?
- In what ways does Jesus redirect political outrage toward personal spiritual examination?
- How does this passage teach that all people equally deserve judgment apart from repentance?
Analysis & 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.