Daily Bible Reading 2nd October 2026 // Luke 13:1-9
1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vine dresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig round it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”
What Jesus was saying, in the words of one commentator, was: 'These victims of tragedy, whether due to the severity of Pilate or to the unforeseeable accident, must not be regarded as outstanding sinners specially singled out for divine retribution, but they provide a salutary reminder that the whole nation is heading for a more comprehensive disaster, like the unfruitful fig tree which is given one last chance to respond to special treatment. Israel must use the respite which God in His mercy has given her (their not suffering the judgment of God as yet) to bring about a national reformation, or find that there is a limit to the divine forbearance' (Caird). In other words, Jesus says, 'Don't turn the idea of judgment to 'the other man'. Think of yourselves.' He thus turns what they say into a warning to themselves to repent and to recognize that whatever falls on others may very justly have fallen upon them. We always have to say, 'There, but for the grace of God, go I'. Nor is it always the most wicked man who is first dragged to punishment, as Calvin says, 'but when God selects a few out of a large number to be punished, He holds out in their person a threatening that He will take vengeance on the remainder, in order that all may be alarmed.'