And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
LUKE 13:32KJVWhat does Luke 13:32 mean?
Luke 13:32 records Jesus calling Herod “that fox” and saying He will continue casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day He will reach His goal. Jesus is making clear that He will not be stopped or hurried by threats, and that His mission will unfold on His own terms.
In this scene, Jesus is speaking to some Pharisees who warn Him that Herod wants to kill Him. By calling Herod a “fox,” Jesus uses a common image for someone sly or cunning, but also insignificant compared to God’s plan. Jesus’ mention of “today, tomorrow, and the third day” is a way of saying He has a set time for His work, and He will not be diverted from it by Herod’s threats.
The Greek behind Luke 13:32
- ἀλώπηξ (alōpēx, “fox”): This word often described someone crafty or sly, but also could imply being unimportant or lacking real power. Jesus’ use of it for Herod suggests both contempt for Herod’s character and a dismissal of his threat.
- τελειοῦμαι (teleioumai, “I shall be perfected”): This Greek word means to be made complete or to finish a task. Here, Jesus is saying that His mission will reach its intended end, regardless of opposition.
Why Luke 13:32 matters
- This verse shows Jesus’ courage and determination in the face of political threats, making clear that no earthly ruler can alter God’s plan.
- The use of “fox” for Herod helps clarify Jesus’ view of worldly power: cunning but ultimately powerless against God’s purpose.
- Jesus’ reference to a set timeline (“today, tomorrow, and the third day”) connects to the theme throughout Luke of Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem and His coming death and resurrection.