For if men do these things
This phrase refers to the actions of the people and authorities during Jesus' crucifixion. It highlights the injustice and cruelty Jesus faced despite His innocence. The "things" include the mockery, torture, and eventual crucifixion. This reflects the sinful nature of humanity and the rejection of God's chosen one. It also connects to the broader biblical theme of human depravity and the need for redemption, as seen in Romans 3:23.

while the tree is green
The "green tree" symbolizes a time of life, prosperity, and opportunity. In this context, it represents Jesus Himself, who is righteous and full of life. The imagery of a green tree is often used in the Bible to denote vitality and blessing (Psalm 1:3). Jesus, being the source of life and truth, is the "green tree" in this metaphor. His presence among the people was a time of spiritual opportunity and revelation.

what will happen when it is dry?”
The "dry tree" symbolizes a time of judgment, desolation, and spiritual barrenness. This phrase foreshadows the coming destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, a time when the opportunity for repentance and salvation would be past. The dry tree can also represent the spiritual state of Israel and humanity without Christ. This imagery is consistent with prophetic warnings found in the Old Testament, such as in Ezekiel 17:24, where God speaks of making the dry tree flourish and the green tree wither, indicating His sovereign control over judgment and blessing.

1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the crowd and the women who are mourning for Him as He is led to His crucifixion.

2. The Crowd
The people witnessing Jesus' journey to Golgotha, including those who are mourning and lamenting His fate.

3. The Green Tree
Symbolically represents Jesus Himself, who is innocent and full of life.

4. The Dry Tree
Represents a time of judgment or a state of spiritual barrenness, possibly referring to the future judgment on Jerusalem or the spiritual state of humanity without Christ.

5. The Crucifixion
The event during which Jesus is being led to be crucified, a pivotal moment in Christian theology representing the sacrifice for humanity's sins.Understanding the Symbolism
Recognize the significance of the "green tree" as a symbol of Jesus' innocence and life. Reflect on how Jesus, though innocent, suffered for our sins.

The Reality of Judgment
Consider the warning about the "dry tree" as a call to repentance and the reality of judgment for those who reject Christ.

The Urgency of Repentance
Acknowledge the urgency of turning to Christ while there is still time, as the opportunity for repentance is not indefinite.

Living in the Light of Christ's Sacrifice
Live a life that reflects gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice, understanding that His suffering was for our redemption.

Bearing Fruit in Christ
Strive to remain connected to Jesus, the true vine, to bear spiritual fruit and avoid spiritual barrenness.1. What is the meaning of Luke 23:31?

2. How does Luke 23:31 illustrate the consequences of rejecting Christ's message today?

3. What does "if they do these things" in Luke 23:31 imply about human nature?

4. How can Luke 23:31 deepen our understanding of God's judgment in the Bible?

5. Connect Luke 23:31 with Old Testament warnings about ignoring God's prophets.

6. How should Luke 23:31 influence our response to societal rejection of biblical truths?

7. What does Luke 23:31 mean by "green wood" and "dry wood"?

8. How does Luke 23:31 relate to Jesus' crucifixion?

9. Why did Jesus use a metaphor in Luke 23:31?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 23?

11. How can I prevent burnout in ministry roles?

12. What defines being spiritually dead?

13. In Psalm 31:5, 'Into your hand I commit my spirit' also appears in Luke 23:46--was this psalm later retrofitted to validate New Testament claims?

14. In Luke 11:31, is there credible historical evidence affirming that the Queen of the South recognized a divine wisdom comparable to, or foreshadowing, that of Jesus?For if men do these things

• Jesus speaks of the very acts being carried out against Him—arrest, mockery, scourging, crucifixion.

• Though Pilate had declared, “I find no basis for a charge against this Man” (Luke 23:14), men were still treating the sinless Son of God as a criminal.

• The Lord has already warned, “The axe lies ready at the root of the trees” (Luke 3:9), showing God’s justice can fall even when people judge it undeserved.

• By saying “men,” Jesus underlines human responsibility; evil is not abstract—it is chosen (Jeremiah 17:9).

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while the tree is green

• A “green” tree is full of life—picture-perfect for fruit and usefulness. In Scripture, the righteous are compared to such a tree (Psalm 1:3).

• Jesus Himself is the ultimate Green Tree: completely alive to God, utterly innocent, bearing good fruit (John 15:1).

• If violence and injustice are unleashed on the One who is perfectly righteous, that exposes the depth of human depravity (Acts 3:14-15).

• The present moment, with the living Savior in their midst, was still a day of grace; yet people chose brutality.

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what will happen

• The question pushes the listeners to imagine consequences. Judgment is not hypothetical; it is already marching toward Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44).

• Scripture frames divine justice in escalating terms: “If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the wicked” (Proverbs 11:31).

• Jesus’ rhetorical move invites sober reflection rather than arguments—He is urging repentance before calamity strikes (2 Peter 3:9-10).

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when it is dry?

• A “dry” tree is brittle, fruitless, ready for the fire (Ezekiel 20:47). It pictures a society hardened in unbelief after rejecting its Messiah.

• AD 70 stands in view: Roman legions would cut down Jerusalem, fulfilling Jesus’ lament: “Not one stone will be left on another” (Luke 21:6).

• Individually, those who refuse Christ become spiritually dry, storing up “wrath for the day of wrath” (Romans 2:5).

• In that coming day there will be no Green Tree present to defer judgment; the dryness makes the fire inevitable (Hebrews 10:26-27).

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summary

Jesus’ words are a solemn equation: if sinful humanity will crucify the sinless Savior in a season still lush with God’s grace, the devastation will be far greater once that grace is spurned and hearts grow dry. The verse warns that rejecting the Righteous One now guarantees harsher judgment later—whether for a nation or for a single soul.

(31) If they do these things in a green tree.--The word for "tree" primarily meant "wood" or "timber," the tree cut down. In later Greek, however, as, e.g., in Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2; Revelation 22:14; Revelation 22:19, it was used for "tree." The "green tree" is, therefore, that which is yet living, capable of bearing fruit; the "dry," that which is barren, fruitless, withered, fit only for the axe (Matthew 3:10; Luke 13:7). The words have so much the character of a proverb that the verb may almost be treated as practically impersonal. So far as any persons are implied, we must think of our Lord as speaking of the representatives of Roman power. If Pilate could thus sentence to death One in whom he acknowledged that he could find no fault, what might be expected from his successors when they had to deal with a people rebellious and in arms? In 1Peter 4:17 we have the same thought in a more general and less figurative form. . . . Verse 31. - For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? Bleek and others interpret this saying here thus: The green wood represents Jesus condemned to crucifixion as a traitor in spite of his unvarying loyalty to Rome and all lawful Gentile power. The dry wood pictures the Jews, who, ever disloyal to Rome and all Genesis the authority, will bring on themselves with much stronger reason the terrible vengeance of the great conquering empire. Theophylact, however, better explains the saying in his paraphrase, "If they do these things in me, fruitful, always green, undying through the Divinity, what will they do to you, fruitless, and deprived of all life-giving righteousness?" So Farrar, who well summarizes, "If they act thus to me, the Innocent and the Holy, what shall be the fate of these, the guilty and false?"

Parallel Commentaries ...


For
Ὅτι (Hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

if
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

[men] do
ποιοῦσιν (poiousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

these things
ταῦτα (tauta)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

[while]
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

tree
ξύλῳ (xylō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3586: From another form of the base of xestes; timber; by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance.

[is] green,
ὑγρῷ (hygrō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5200: Moist, green, full of sap. From the base of huetos; wet, i.e. sappy.

what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

will happen
γένηται (genētai)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

[when]
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[it is]
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

dry?”
ξηρῷ (xērō)
Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3584: Dry, withered; noun: dry land. From the base of xestes; arid; by implication, shrunken, earth.


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NT Gospels: Luke 23:31 For if they do these things (Luke Lu Lk)