Luke 13:1-9

"Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?” (v2).  A group of Galileans had been targeted and killed by Pilate (v1), and people wondered if the violent event proved that these individuals were “worse sinners” than others.  Many ancient cultures taught that suffering (sickness, disaster) was a person’s own fault (v4), but Jesus corrected them and pointed out humans’ universal need for forgiveness.  “No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (v5).

Rather than analyzing other people’s sinful choices, Jesus calls us to consider the state of our own hearts and seek to honor God in all we do (v9).