Luke 13:31 (KJV)

What does Luke 13:31 mean?

Luke 13:31 describes a moment when some Pharisees come to Jesus and warn Him to leave the area because Herod wants to kill Him. The verse shows that Jesus is being threatened by political power, and that even some Pharisees are warning Him about the danger.

In this scene, the Pharisees—usually shown as opponents of Jesus—approach Him with a warning about Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. They tell Jesus to leave (“Get thee out, and depart hence”) because Herod is seeking to kill Him. This moment highlights the real and present danger Jesus faced and sets the stage for His response, which follows in the next verses.

The Greek behind Luke 13:31

• ἐξέλθε (exelthe, “out”): This word means “go out” or “leave.” The Greek here carries the sense of a strong urging to leave immediately, not just a casual suggestion.
• πορεύου (poreuou, “depart”): This word means “go” or “travel.” It emphasizes not just leaving the current spot, but moving on to another place.
• θέλει (thelei, “will”): This verb means “wants” or “desires.” The Greek makes it clear that Herod’s intention to kill Jesus is an active desire, not just a passing thought.
• ἀποκτεῖναι (apokteinai, “kill”): This is a strong word for “kill” or “put to death,” showing the seriousness of the threat.

Why Luke 13:31 matters

• This verse shows that Jesus’ life was under threat from political leaders even before His final days in Jerusalem, highlighting the constant danger He faced.
• The warning comes from Pharisees, who are often seen as Jesus’ opponents, but here they act as messengers of danger, which complicates the usual picture of their relationship with Jesus.
• This moment sets up the tension for the following verses, where Jesus responds to the threat, revealing His determination and sense of mission despite the danger.