Lent Visitations 2010 - Week 2

For the commentary I have used the New Bible Commentary Revised

All opinions are my own

Week 2 ? Luke 13:31-35 ? Prediction of the Passion

1. This is part of a large section in Luke?s Gospel (9:51 - 19:10) and concerns Jesus? journey up to Jerusalem and ministry in Galilee. The prediction of the passion is also echoed in Mtt: 23:37-39.
2. You will remember that in Luke 9:51 Jesus -made up his mind and set out on his way toward Jerusalem-.  There was to be no holding him back.
3. V 31 tells us that Jesus was warned by some Pharisees to -get out of here- because Herod wanted him dead. Herod?s area of control included Galilee and Peraea. Some things never change. (for an explanation of Pharisees v Sadducees see the article below) . Were they friends or acting in collusion with Herod in order to get rid of Jesus ? we?ll never know
4. In his reply Jesus describes Herod as a fox (v32) ? cunning or an animal that can be frightened by bigger animals? For an understanding of vv 31&32 see Hosea 6:2. It represents a short period of crisis before the cataclysm and Jesus determination that he would complete his work -driving out demons and performing cures- rather than be scared away by the likes of Herod ? although I have little doubt that he was scared.
5. Vv 34&35 really betray Jesus emotions about his capitol city and I suppose people are still emotional in their different ways about Jerusalem today. Do you remember how emotional the Israelis were about the capture of West Jerusalem in 1967 and how emotive an issue it still is today in the Middle East peace process? (see also 19:41-44 as Jesus makes his final entry into Jerusalem)
6. V 35 was probably written after the sacking of Jerusalem in AD 70 by the Romans and the ruin of the Temple and the quotation --God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord-- refers not to the triumphal entry (19:38) but to the second coming of the Messiah.

Questions:

• I have always maintained that Jesus was in complete command of his life (and death) ? what do you think?
• Do you think Jesus was scared of Herod?
• What do you think Jesus the Jew would think of the problems of Jerusalem and the Middle East today?