Luke 13:31

Luke 13:31, in plain English

Some Pharisees come to Jesus with a warning: Herod is out to kill you, so you better leave. Whether they're being genuinely helpful or trying to scare Him away is unclear.

Why it's here

This is during Jesus's long journey toward Jerusalem, and the shadow of the cross is already forming. Herod had already killed John the Baptist.

Who's speaking

The Pharisees are the ones speaking here, delivering a threat that sets up one of Jesus's boldest responses.

Where it sits in the story

It's a tense moment — political danger is closing in, and Jesus has to decide how to respond to a death threat from the most powerful man in the region.

The scholarly reading

Pharisees warn Jesus about Herod Antipas's murderous intent. Their motivation is debated — some scholars see genuine concern, others a ploy to drive Jesus from Perea toward Jerusalem.

Language and setting

This episode, unique to Luke, occurs during Jesus's journey to Jerusalem and introduces the tension between Jesus and Herod Antipas, who had already executed John the Baptist.

Voice

The Pharisees deliver the warning, though Jesus's response suggests He sees through any underlying political maneuvering.

Significance

A group of Pharisees approaches Jesus with urgent news: Herod wants Him dead. This sets the stage for Jesus's defiant response about His mission and destiny.

29People will come from east and west and north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God.

30And indeed, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last.”

31At that very hour, some Pharisees came to Jesus and told Him, “Leave this place and get away, because Herod wants to kill You.”

32But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’

33Nevertheless, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day, for it is not admissible for a prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem.

Read all of Luke 13 — A bent-over woman is healed on the Sabbath, a mustard seed grows into a tree, and Jesus weeps over Jerusalem's refusal to come home.