The Parable Of The Fig Tree In The Vineyard Series

The fig tree in the vineyard

Do bad things only happen to bad people

Like 13; 1-9

“ Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:1-5. There are no other account of this Incident other than what Luke records.

We assume that they were in the temple of Jerusalem making their sacrifices since they had their animals with them and they were in the process of sacrificing these animals. We do not know what motivated Pilate’s actions. We only know they were suddenly and violently executed

Jesus’ response to this news reveals the common misunderstanding of the people as to why such horrible murders and executions take place. “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? (NKJV). The common assumption is only partially right. People do suffer because of sin. We suffer because of our own sin, the sin of others and living in a sin cursed world.

However, the common understanding of a violent death such as suffered by these Galileans was that they were sinners to a greater degree than most people. That is a false assumption that still floats around in society. The manner of death does not indicate the degree of sinfulness of the person who died unless the death is a direct consequence of the sin.

Jesus’ answer to His own question is direct. “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”.

Then again Jesus brought up another example of sudden, violent death that had occurred when a tower in Siloam collapsed. Siloam is on the south end of Jerusalem in the section also known as the old city of David or Zion. The temple was built to the north of this area. Hezekiah built a tunnel to channel the water from the Gihon spring to the pool of Siloam.

Again there are no other account of this Incident other than what Luke records. Jesus does not tell us what kind of tower it was, why it collapsed or why these people were near the tower. The particular word used often refers to structures that were part of a city’s defense system, but it could also be used for a watch tower in a field, a castle or even a tall private building. Buildings can collapse suddenly without warning for a variety of reasons including structural failure and earthquakes. The people could have been carrying out work related to it, living in it, enjoying its shade on a hot day, or just passing by. We don’t know any of those details. We can surmise that because it killed eighteen people that it was a fairly large tower.

Jesus brings up this story to emphasize His point and that it also applies to tragic accidental deaths and not just murder. There was a common idea that people who died in such tragedies were greater culprits or debtors to God This idea also allowed people to justify themselves and think they were safe because they were not as bad as those who had such tragedy strike them. It is an idea that is still around because it is based in the false idea that bad things only happen to bad people.

There were plenty of sinners in Jerusalem and these eighteen were not any worse than the rest. “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish”. He gives the same very serious warning again that without repentance that they were subject to likewise perish.

Job had enough problems without his three friends falsely accusing him. They did well for seven days while they sat there with him and said nothing. I personally think that the longer they sat there the more scared they became because they knew Job to be a good man, but they did not want to even think that anything like the tragedies Job was experiencing could happen to them, so they had to find some wickedness in Job.

Eliphaz gives his own observation, “Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright destroyed? According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble harvest it” (Job 4:7-8). His accusation is that the innocent do not suffer like this, and since you are suffering, you must not be innocent, so confess your sins. Bildad appeals to traditions from pervious generations and concluded that Job’s sons died because of their sins against God and that if Job implored God and would be pure and upright, then God would restore him (Job 8:4-8). Zophar is sarcastic and accuses Job saying if he would put away his iniquity, direct his heart right and seek God, then all would be made right (Job 11). None of them paid much attention to Job’s lament. False assumptions result in false conclusions.