And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

LUKE 13:2KJV
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Luke 13:2 (KJV)

What does Luke 13:2 mean?

Luke 13:2 records Jesus asking if people thought the Galileans who suffered a violent death were worse sinners than other Galileans because of what happened to them. Jesus challenges the idea that tragedy happens only to those who are especially sinful.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd after some people told Him about Galileans who had been killed by Pilate. He responds by questioning a common belief of the time: that suffering or disaster is a direct result of personal sinfulness. Jesus uses this moment to address assumptions about guilt and divine punishment, prompting His listeners to rethink how they interpret tragic events.

The Greek behind Luke 13:2

  • ἁμαρτωλοί (hamartōloi, "sinners"): This word refers to people who miss the mark or fall short morally. Jesus uses it to highlight the crowd’s assumption that those who suffered must have been especially guilty.
  • πάσχω (paschō, "suffered"): This word means to experience hardship or pain. The verse connects suffering with the idea of punishment, which Jesus is questioning.
  • παραπάντας (parapantas, "above all"): This word means “more than all,” emphasizing the comparison between the victims and other Galileans. Jesus is challenging the idea that those who suffered were worse than everyone else.

Why Luke 13:2 matters

  • Luke 13:2 corrects the mistaken belief that personal tragedy is always a sign of greater personal sin, which was a common assumption in Jesus’ day.
  • The verse shifts the focus from judging others’ suffering to self-reflection, setting up Jesus’ call for repentance in the following verses.
  • By questioning the crowd’s thinking, Jesus encourages a more compassionate and humble attitude toward those who experience hardship.

Where else these words appear

“Galilaeans” Greek G1057 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 26:69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
  • Luke 22:59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
  • Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

“suffered” Greek G3958 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Acts 3:18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
  • Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

“sinners” Greek G268 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
  • Luke 6:33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
  • John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

“things” Greek G5108 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 9:8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.
  • Acts 26:29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.