Luke Chapter 13 · Verse 33

Authorized King James Version

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Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

Original Language Analysis

πλὴν Nevertheless G4133
πλὴν Nevertheless
Strong's: G4133
Word #: 1 of 17
moreover (besides), i.e., albeit, save that, rather, yet
δεῖ must G1163
δεῖ must
Strong's: G1163
Word #: 2 of 17
also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) necessary (as binding)
με I G3165
με I
Strong's: G3165
Word #: 3 of 17
me
σήμερον to day G4594
σήμερον to day
Strong's: G4594
Word #: 4 of 17
on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 5 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὔριον to morrow G839
αὔριον to morrow
Strong's: G839
Word #: 6 of 17
properly, fresh, i.e., (adverb with ellipsis of g2250) to-morrow
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 7 of 17
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ G3588
τῇ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 8 of 17
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐχομένῃ the day following G2192
ἐχομένῃ the day following
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 9 of 17
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
πορεύεσθαι walk G4198
πορεύεσθαι walk
Strong's: G4198
Word #: 10 of 17
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ὅτι for G3754
ὅτι for
Strong's: G3754
Word #: 11 of 17
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οὐκ it cannot be G3756
οὐκ it cannot be
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 12 of 17
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἐνδέχεται G1735
ἐνδέχεται
Strong's: G1735
Word #: 13 of 17
(impersonally) it is accepted in, i.e., admitted (possible)
προφήτην that a prophet G4396
προφήτην that a prophet
Strong's: G4396
Word #: 14 of 17
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
ἀπολέσθαι perish G622
ἀπολέσθαι perish
Strong's: G622
Word #: 15 of 17
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
ἔξω out of G1854
ἔξω out of
Strong's: G1854
Word #: 16 of 17
out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively
Ἰερουσαλήμ Jerusalem G2419
Ἰερουσαλήμ Jerusalem
Strong's: G2419
Word #: 17 of 17
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine

Analysis & Commentary

Jesus states His determination: 'Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.' The word 'must' indicates divine necessity—Jesus is under compulsion to fulfill His mission. The 'to day, and to morrow, and the day following' structure parallels v. 32, emphasizing His controlled progress toward Jerusalem. The statement 'it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem' contains bitter irony—Jerusalem, the holy city, kills God's messengers. This prepares for Jesus' lament over Jerusalem in vv. 34-35. Jesus will die in Jerusalem not because Herod is powerless but because God's redemptive plan requires it. The cross was not accidental but appointed.

Historical Context

Jerusalem had a long history of rejecting and killing prophets (1 Kings 19:10, 2 Chronicles 24:20-21, Jeremiah 26:20-23, Matthew 23:37). The city that should have welcomed God's messengers instead murdered them. Jesus would become the ultimate example of this pattern, rejected by the religious establishment and crucified outside the city walls. Yet through His death, Jerusalem would become the birthplace of the church (Acts 2) and the gospel would spread from there to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). God transforms human rebellion into redemptive purposes.

Questions for Reflection