Luke Chapter 13 · Verse 31
The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 18
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
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέρα
day
G2250
ἡμέρα
day
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
4 of 18
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
προσῆλθόν
there came
G4334
προσῆλθόν
there came
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
5 of 18
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
Φαρισαῖοι
of the Pharisees
G5330
Φαρισαῖοι
of the Pharisees
Strong's:
G5330
Word #:
7 of 18
a separatist, i.e., exclusively religious; a pharisean, i.e., jewish sectary
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
9 of 18
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πορεύου
depart
G4198
πορεύου
depart
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
12 of 18
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ἐντεῦθεν
hence
G1782
ἐντεῦθεν
hence
Strong's:
G1782
Word #:
13 of 18
hence (literally or figuratively); (repeated) on both sides
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
14 of 18
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Historical Context
Herod Antipas was the son of Herod the Great and ruled Galilee and Perea (4 BC - AD 39). He married his brother's wife Herodias, which John the Baptist condemned (Luke 3:19-20), leading to John's execution. Herod was politically shrewd, maintaining power through Roman favor and careful management of Jewish sensibilities. His interest in Jesus combined curiosity and threat—he wanted to see a miracle (Luke 23:8) but also saw Jesus as potentially dangerous. Jesus' ministry largely avoided Herodian territory after this warning, focusing on the journey to Jerusalem.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' response to Herod's threat demonstrate confidence in God's sovereign timing and protection?
- What does this incident teach about navigating political threats while remaining faithful to divine mission?
- How should Christians respond when authorities threaten or oppose gospel ministry?
Analysis & Commentary
Pharisees approach with a warning: 'The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.' The Pharisees' warning seems helpful but may have been intended to manipulate Jesus away from their territory. Herod Antipas, who ruled Galilee and Perea, had beheaded John the Baptist (Luke 9:9) and wanted to see Jesus (Luke 9:9, 23:8). Whether the threat was real or fabricated, it provided an opportunity for Jesus to clarify His mission's divine timing and protection. Jesus was not naively trusting but sovereignly aware—He would die in Jerusalem according to God's plan, not prematurely at Herod's whim in Galilee.