Luke 13:33
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)
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
Cross References
Luke 9:53And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.Matthew 21:11And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.Acts 13:27For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.Matthew 20:18Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death,John 9:4I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.John 11:54Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.John 4:34Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
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
- What does Jesus' determination to go to Jerusalem despite certain death teach about obedience to God's will?
- How does the irony of Jerusalem killing prophets illustrate the danger of religious institutionalism that resists God's fresh work?
- In what ways does Jesus' 'must' (divine necessity) encourage believers facing difficult but divinely appointed tasks?
Related Resources
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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.