Bible Strands
Luke 13:5
No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to a crowd immediately after they ask whether eighteen victims of the tower of Siloam collapse were more sinful than others. He addresses them directly to correct their assumption that specific tragedies indicate greater personal guilt.
The words — The Greek verb μετανοῆτε (metanoēte) literally means "you shall repent," placed under the conditional phrase ἐὰν μὴ (ean mē) for "unless." This grammatical structure sets repentance as the direct alternative to perishing.
The thread — The conditional warning against perishing without repentance runs parallel to Ezekiel 18:30, where God commands Israel to repent and turn from their ways. Jesus uses the identical formula in Luke 13:3 to address another recent disaster.
Why it lands — The text states that perishing is the outcome unless repentance occurs, rejecting speculation about others' sinfulness. It requires the reader to turn from their own ways rather than judge external events.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.
- Luke 13:3 No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
- Isaiah 28:10 For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.”