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

LUKE 13:5KJV
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Luke 13:5 (KJV)

What does Luke 13:5 mean?

Luke 13:5 records Jesus warning that unless people repent, they will all perish in a similar way to those who had recently died tragically. Jesus is making it clear that everyone needs to turn away from wrongdoing, not just those who have suffered obvious disasters.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a crowd after being told about some Galileans who were killed by Pilate. The people seem to think those victims were worse sinners than others. Jesus challenges this idea, saying that all people are in need of repentance, and that tragic events are not always a sign of greater guilt. The verse stresses personal responsibility and the universal need for a change of heart.

The Greek behind Luke 13:5

  • μετανοῆτε (metanoēte, "repent"): This Greek word means to change one’s mind or direction, often understood as a deep, sincere turning away from past behavior. Jesus uses it here to call for a genuine transformation, not just regret.
  • ὁμοίως (homoiōs, "likewise"): This word means "in the same way" or "similarly." Jesus is emphasizing that the same fate awaits everyone unless they respond as he urges, making the warning personal and universal.
  • ἀπολεῖσθε (apoleisthe, "perish"): This verb can mean to be destroyed or lost. In this context, it carries the sense of facing serious consequences, not just physical death but possibly a deeper loss.

Why Luke 13:5 matters

  • Luke 13:5 corrects the common assumption that suffering or tragedy is always a sign of greater personal sin, showing that all people need to examine their own lives.
  • The verse highlights Jesus’ focus on repentance as a universal need, not just for those who seem outwardly worse or more unfortunate.
  • This warning ties into the surrounding passage, where Jesus repeatedly calls for urgent self-reflection rather than judging others’ misfortunes.

Where else these words appear

“likewise” Greek G3668 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 22:26 Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.
  • Luke 10:32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

“repent” Greek G3340 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
  • Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

“Nay” Greek G3780 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
  • Luke 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
  • 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

“except” Greek G3362 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
  • Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.