Luke 13:5
New International Version
I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

New Living Translation
No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

English Standard Version
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Berean Standard Bible
No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

Berean Literal Bible
No, I say to you; but unless you repent, you will all perish likewise."

King James Bible
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

New King James Version
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

New American Standard Bible
No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

NASB 1995
“I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

NASB 1977
“I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Legacy Standard Bible
I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Amplified Bible
I tell you, no; but unless you repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways and live changed lives], you will all likewise perish.”

Christian Standard Bible
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!”

American Standard Version
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Contemporary English Version
Not at all! But you can be sure that if you don't turn back to God, every one of you will also die.

English Revised Version
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
No! I can guarantee that they weren't. But if you don't turn to God and change the way you think and act, then you, too, will all die."

Good News Translation
No indeed! And I tell you that if you do not turn from your sins, you will all die as they did."

International Standard Version
Absolutely not, I tell you! But if you don't repent, then you, too, will all die."

NET Bible
No, I tell you! But unless you repent you will all perish as well!"

New Heart English Bible
I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way."

Webster's Bible Translation
I tell you, No; but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Weymouth New Testament
I tell you, certainly not. On the contrary, if you do not repent you will all perish just as they did."
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

World English Bible
I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
No—I say to you, but if you may not convert, all you will perish in like manner.”

Berean Literal Bible
No, I say to you; but unless you repent, you will all perish likewise."

Young's Literal Translation
No -- I say to you, but, if ye may not reform, all ye in like manner shall perish.'

Smith's Literal Translation
No, I say: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
No, I say to you; but except you do penance, you shall all likewise perish.

Catholic Public Domain Version
No, I tell you. But if you do not repent, you will all perish similarly.”

New American Bible
By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

New Revised Standard Version
No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
No, but I say to you, that unless you repent, all of you will perish like them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“No, but I say to you, unless you repent, all of you shall be destroyed like they were.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
I tell you, No; but unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

Godbey New Testament
I say unto you, Nay: but unless you may repent, you will all likewise perish.

Haweis New Testament
I tell you, No: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Mace New Testament
I tell you, no: and except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

Weymouth New Testament
I tell you, certainly not. On the contrary, if you do not repent you will all perish just as they did."

Worrell New Testament
I tell you, nay; but, unless ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Worsley New Testament
I tell you, No: but, unless ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Call to Repentance
4Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam collapsed on them: Do you think that they were more sinful than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” 6Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.…

Cross References
Matthew 3:2
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Acts 17:30
Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

Matthew 12:41
The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.

Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Revelation 2:5
Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Jeremiah 18:7-8
At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. / But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring.

Matthew 11:20-24
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. / “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ...

Romans 2:4-5
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? / But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Mark 1:15
“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,


Treasury of Scripture

I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all likewise perish.

except.

Luke 13:3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Isaiah 28:10-13
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: …

Ezekiel 18:30
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

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Luke 13
1. Jesus preaches repentance upon the punishment of the Galilaeans and others.
6. The fruitless fig tree may not stand.
10. He heals the crooked woman;
18. shows the powerful working of the word, by the parable of the grain of mustard seed,
20. and of leaven;
22. exhorts to enter in at the strait gate;
31. and reproves Herod and Jerusalem.














No, I tell you.
This phrase is a direct response from Jesus, emphasizing the certainty and authority of His statement. In the context of Luke 13, Jesus is addressing a common belief that suffering is directly correlated with personal sin. By saying "No," He refutes the assumption that those who suffer are worse sinners than others. This reflects a broader biblical theme that God's ways and judgments are not always aligned with human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9).

But unless you repent,
Repentance is a central theme in Jesus' teachings and the broader New Testament. The Greek word for repent, "metanoia," implies a transformative change of heart and mind. This call to repentance is consistent with the message of John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2) and is foundational to the Gospel. It signifies turning away from sin and turning towards God, aligning with the covenantal relationship God desires with His people (Ezekiel 18:30-32).

you too will all perish.”
The warning of perishing is not merely about physical death but spiritual death and eternal separation from God. This echoes the broader biblical narrative of the consequences of sin (Romans 6:23). Jesus' warning is universal, applying to all, regardless of their perceived righteousness. It underscores the urgency of repentance and the reality of divine judgment. This theme is consistent with the prophetic literature, where calls to repentance are often linked with warnings of impending judgment (Joel 2:12-13). The phrase also foreshadows the eschatological teachings of Jesus, where He speaks of the final judgment and the separation of the righteous from the unrighteous (Matthew 25:31-46).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the crowd, emphasizing the necessity of repentance.

2. The Crowd
The audience to whom Jesus is speaking, likely consisting of Jews who were familiar with the recent events Jesus refers to earlier in the chapter.

3. Galileans
Mentioned earlier in the chapter, they were victims of Pilate's brutality, which Jesus uses as a teaching moment.

4. Jerusalem
The city where these teachings are taking place, a central location for Jesus' ministry and eventual crucifixion.

5. Pilate
The Roman governor who had mingled the blood of Galileans with their sacrifices, an event that prompts Jesus' teaching on repentance.
Teaching Points
The Urgency of Repentance
Jesus emphasizes that repentance is not optional but essential for avoiding spiritual destruction. This urgency is a call to examine our lives and turn away from sin.

Repentance as a Continuous Process
The Greek word for "repent" (metanoe?) implies a change of mind and heart. It is not a one-time event but a continual turning towards God.

Equality in Sinfulness
Jesus' message underscores that all are equally in need of repentance, regardless of their perceived righteousness or the severity of their sins.

Avoiding Complacency
The warning to repent challenges believers to avoid complacency in their spiritual lives, recognizing that spiritual growth requires ongoing transformation.

God's Mercy and Justice
While the call to repentance is urgent, it is also a testament to God's mercy, offering a way to avoid perishing through His grace.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Luke 13:5?

2. How does Luke 13:5 emphasize the necessity of personal repentance for salvation?

3. What does "unless you repent" in Luke 13:5 reveal about God's expectations?

4. How does Luke 13:5 connect with John the Baptist's call to repentance?

5. In what ways can we practice daily repentance as taught in Luke 13:5?

6. How can Luke 13:5 guide our approach to sharing the Gospel with others?

7. What does "unless you repent, you too will all perish" mean in Luke 13:5?

8. How does Luke 13:5 challenge the concept of universal salvation?

9. What historical context influenced the message of repentance in Luke 13:5?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 13?

11. What is the significance of the Tower of Siloam?

12. What is the Bible's perspective on judgment?

13. Luke 13:1-5: Why is there no clear historical or archaeological corroboration for the falling tower in Siloam and its connection to the Galileans?

14. What does being unrepentant mean?
What Does Luke 13:5 Mean
No

Jesus has just been told about brutal tragedies—the Galileans slaughtered by Pilate and the eighteen crushed by the tower of Siloam (Luke 13:1-4). His immediate answer is “No,” denying the popular notion that these victims must have been worse sinners.

John 9:3 records a similar correction: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” shifting focus from blaming the sufferer to seeing God’s purpose.

• The refusal to link calamity to special guilt underscores Romans 3:23: “all have sinned.” Every person stands on level ground before a holy God; disaster does not necessarily mark extraordinary evil.


I tell you

With these words Jesus asserts divine authority.

• In the Sermon on the Mount He repeats, “But I tell you…” (Matthew 5), showing that His word interprets and fulfills the Law (Matthew 24:35).

• Because “God…cannot lie” (Titus 1:2), His statements are final; they expose error and reveal truth.

• Listening to Christ is not optional; He is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6), so ignoring His verdict places one at odds with reality itself.


But unless you repent

Repentance is the non-negotiable response Christ demands.

Mark 1:15: “Repent and believe in the gospel!” pairs a change of mind with trust in Him.

Acts 17:30 announces that “God…now commands all men everywhere to repent,” making it universal in scope.

What repentance involves:

– Recognizing personal sin (Psalm 51:3-4).

– Turning from self-rule to God’s rule (Isaiah 55:7).

– Bearing fruit that shows the change (Luke 3:8).

Repentance is not mere sorrow or self-improvement; it is a decisive, Spirit-enabled about-face toward Christ.


you too will all perish

Perishing is both immediate and eternal.

• Physical death eventually claims every unrepentant person, yet Jesus points beyond the grave to final judgment: “Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

John 3:16 contrasts perishing with eternal life, revealing that faith in Christ rescues from everlasting ruin.

Romans 6:23 explains why: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Without repentance, sinners remain under wrath; with repentance and faith, they receive life.


summary

Luke 13:5 confronts every listener: calamity is not reserved for exceptional sinners—it is a preview of universal judgment. Jesus, speaking with unquestionable authority, insists that repentance is the only escape from perishing. Turning to Him in humble faith secures the life God longs to give, for “He is patient…not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Verse 5. - Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. The words were indeed prophetic to the letter. Thousands of Jews perished in the last terrible war by the swords of the Roman legionaries, like the Galilaeans of ver. 1; not a few met their death in the capital among the ruins of the burning fallen houses. We know that Jerusalem in its entirety was destroyed, and the loss of life in the siege, and especially in its dread closing scenes, was simply incalculable. Within forty years all this happened.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
No,
οὐχί (ouchi)
Adverb
Strong's 3780: By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed.

I tell
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

you.
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

But
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

unless
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

you repent,
μετανοῆτε (metanoēte)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 3340: From meta and noieo; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. Reconsider.

you too will all perish.”
ἀπολεῖσθε (apoleisthe)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.


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