Luke 13:1–9 – Except Ye Repent
- Ottawa Gospel Hall
- Sep 17, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
This article is adapted from a message preached on September 19, 2025. Watch the full sermon on YouTube.
Missing the signs
As Luke chapter 13 opens, it follows directly from the Lord Jesus’ words at the end of chapter 12. There, He spoke about discernment—how people could read the signs of the sky and the earth, yet failed to discern the spiritual moment they were living in.
They could look west and know a storm was coming. They could feel a breeze from the south and expect fair weather. They knew the old saying well: “Red sky at night, sailors’ delight; red sky in morning, sailors take warning.” Physical signs were easily understood, yet spiritual signs were missed.
What did they miss? They missed Him.
They witnessed His miracles—works that plainly declared Him to be the Son of God. They heard His messages—clear calls to repent and believe the gospel. They watched His life, His movements, His compassion, His authority. And still, they missed Him.
A solemn chapter of contrasts
Luke chapter 13 is one of the most solemn chapters in the New Testament. It is filled with sharp contrasts and searching truths:
Repent or perish
Bear fruit or be cut down
Remain bound or be set free
Strive to enter or hear, “Depart from me”
“I would” versus “ye would not”
Again and again, the Lord Jesus presses one central question: Have you repented of your sin?
Tragedy and the call to repentance
The people brought two events before the Lord Jesus. One was an act of cruelty—Galilaeans murdered by Pilate while offering sacrifices. The other was a sudden tragedy—a tower in Siloam collapsing and killing eighteen people.
What keeps us separated from God?
Something is broken in every human life, and it affects our relationship with God.
In both cases, the assumption was the same: Surely these people must have been worse sinners than others.
The Lord Jesus corrected them immediately:
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”— Luke 13:3, 5
Whether death comes cruelly or suddenly, the issue is not how a person dies, but whether they have repented.
A man silenced by the word of God
History records a man named Mr. Thorpe¹ in the 1700s, a known mocker of the gospel. Along with others, he ridiculed preachers and mocked Scripture in taverns. One evening, while imitating gospel preaching, he opened the Bible at random.
The verse he read was Luke 13:5:
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
That verse struck his heart with power. The mockery stopped. Fear and conviction filled his soul. The Word of God silenced him.
It was the first time he truly thought about his sin.
Thank God for Christ
This is why the gospel is preached. Without repentance, sinners will perish eternally. But thank God, that is not the end of the message.
The same Lord Jesus who warned of perishing also said:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”— John 3:16
Because of the cross, you do not have to perish. You can turn from your sins and trust the Saviour tonight.
The parable of the fig tree
After His warning, the Lord Jesus told a parable:
“A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.”— Luke 13:6
The reason for the tree was simple: it was planted to bear fruit.
So are you.
You were created to bring glory to God. When God looks at your life, does He see fruit?
Disappointment and Judgment
Year after year, the owner found no fruit. His verdict was clear:
“Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?”— Luke 13:7
God’s judgment is real. The warning of Scripture is not empty.
Without repentance, judgment is certain.
The Patience of God
But then another voice is heard—the dresser of the vineyard:
“Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it.”— Luke 13:8
Here we see the patience of God. He is long-suffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
How long has God been patient with you?
Two Outcomes
The parable ends with only two possibilities:
Fruit will be borne
Or the tree will be cut down
It is the same solemn contrast as before:
Repent or perish.
This day, the door of salvation is open. You can trust the One who shed His precious blood and rose again. But the warning remains—opportunity does not last forever.
A final appeal
Do not remain in your sins. Do not delay. The words of the Lord Jesus still stand:
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”— Luke 13:5
Repent today. Trust the Saviour. Bring forth fruit unto God.
¹ Historical Note:
This reference reflects a commonly recounted account associated with gospel preaching in this historical period. It is reproduced here in keeping with the original sermon and serves an illustrative, not academic, purpose.
