1   At that very time there were some people present who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2   He answered them: ‘Do you imagine that, because these Galileans suffered this fate, they must have been greater sinners than anyone else in Galilee? 3   I tell you they were not; but unless you repent, you will all of you come to the same end. 4   Or the eighteen people who were killed when the tower fell on them at Siloam—do you imagine they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem? 5   I tell you they were not; but unless you repent, you will all of you come to the same end.’

Journeys and encounters

6   He told them this parable: ‘A man had a fig-tree growing in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it, but found none. 7   So he said to the vine-dresser, “Look here! For the last three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig-tree without finding any. Cut it down. 8   Why should it go on using up the soil?” But he replied, “Leave it, sir, this one year while I dig round it and manure it. 9   And if it bears next season, well and good; if not, you shall have it down.”’

10    11   One Sabbath he was teaching in a synagogue, and there was a woman there possessed by a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent double and quite unable to stand up straight. 12   When Jesus saw her he called her and said, ‘You are rid of your trouble.’ 13   Then he laid his hands on her, and at once she straightened up and began to praise God. 14   But the president of the synagogue, indignant with Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, intervened and said to the congregation, ‘There are six working-days: come and be cured on one of them, and not on the Sabbath.’ 15   The Lord gave him his answer: ‘What hypocrites you are!’ he said. ‘Is there a single one of you who does not loose his ox or his donkey from the manger and take it out to water on the Sabbath? 16   And here is this woman, a daughter of Abraham, who has been kept prisoner by Satan for eighteen long years: was it wrong for her to be freed from her bonds on the Sabbath?’ 17   At these words all his opponents were covered with confusion, while the mass of the people were delighted at all the wonderful things he was doing.

18   ‘What is the kingdom of God like?’ he continued. ‘What shall I compare it with? 19   It is like a mustard-seed which a man took and sowed in his garden; and it grew to be a tree and the birds came to roost among its branches.’

20   Again he said, ‘The kingdom of God, what shall I compare it with? 21   It is like yeast which a woman took and mixed with half a hundred-weight of flour till it was all leavened.’

22   He continued his journey through towns and villages, teaching as he made his way towards Jerusalem. 23   Someone asked him, ‘Sir, are only a few to be saved?’ 24   His answer was: ‘Struggle to get in through the narrow door; for I tell you that many will try to enter and not be able.

25   ‘When once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may stand outside and knock, and say, “Sir, let us in!”,

Journeys and encounters but he will only answer, “I do not know where you come from.” 26   Then you will begin to say, “We sat at table with you and you taught in our streets.” 27   But he will repeat, “I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Out of my sight, all of you, you and your wicked ways!” 28   There will be wailing and grinding of teeth there, when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrown out. 29   From east and west people will come, from north and south, for the feast in the kingdom of God. 30   Yes, and some who are now last will be first, and some who are first will be last.’

31   At that time a number of Pharisees came to him and said, ‘You should leave this place and go on your way; Herod is out to kill you.’ 32   He replied, ‘Go and tell that fox, “Listen: today and tomorrow I shall be casting out devils and working cures; on the third day I reach my goal.” 33   However, I must be on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, because it is unthinkable for a prophet to meet his death anywhere but in Jerusalem.

34   ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that murders the prophets and stones the messengers sent to her! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings; but you would not let me. 35   Look, look! there is your temple, forsaken by God. And I tell you, you shall never see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!”’

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