Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 13:2

"And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they have suffered these things?" — Luke 13:2 (ASV)

We cannot be certain as to the exact incident referred to in v.1. The social tension made revolutionary activity in those days possible at any time. Galileans were especially susceptible to revolt (see also comment on 1:26). Any attack by Pilate or any other governor against Jews who had come to offer sacrifices was horrendous whatever its reason. Jesus refuses to attribute tragedy or accident directly to one’s sin as the Jews did (cf. Jn 9:1-3). On the contrary, he affirms the sinfulness of all people. Whereas the victims of the two calamities referred to in vv.1–5 perished physically, all who do not repent face spiritual death.