Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Luke Chapter 13
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 13:1-5
13:1Now there were some present at that very season who told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 13:2And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they have suffered these things? 13:3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish. 13:4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were offenders above all the men that dwell in Jerusalem? 13:5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
January 5, 1941: Luke 13:1-5
What do the Galileans represent, and what metaphysical meaning attaches to Pilate's having mingled their blood with their sacrifices? The Galileans (circuit, circle) represent active life thoughts; Pilate (armed with a javelin) represents the ruling principle on the sense plane, the carnal will. The carnal will destroys the active life thoughts, even while they are engaged in the refining process (sacrifice) by which matter is made to ascend to mind and mind to Spirit.
Are man's active life thoughts subject to the destructive action of the carnal will because of any error that is inherent in them? The error is inherent in the carnal will rather than in the thoughts of man, but until these thoughts are turned into constructive channels, they remain subject to the will of the lower or sense self.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 13:6-9
13:6And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none. 13:7And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground? 13:8And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:13:9and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 13:10-17
13:10And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath day. 13:11And behold, a woman that had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years; and she was bowed together, and could in no wise lift herself up. 13:12And when Jesus saw her, he called her, and said to her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.13:13And he laid his hands upon her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 13:14And the ruler of the synagogue, being moved with indignation because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, answered and said to the multitude, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the day of the sabbath. 13:15But the Lord answered him, and said, Ye hypocrites, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 13:16And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound, lo, these eighteen years, to have been loosed from this bond on the day of the sabbath? 13:17And as he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame: and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 13:18-19
13:18He said therefore, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I liken it? 13:19It is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his own garden; and it grew, and became a tree; and the birds of the heaven lodged in the branches thereof.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 13:20-21
13:20And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? 13:21It is like unto leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 13:22-30
13:22And he went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and journeying on unto Jerusalem. 13:23And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved? And he said unto them, 13:24Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 13:25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are; 13:26then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets; 13:27and he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 13:28There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast forth without. 13:29And they shall come from the east and west, and from the north and south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 13:30And behold, there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last.
Metaphysically Interpreting Luke 13:31-35
13:31In that very hour there came certain Pharisees, saying to him, Get thee out, and go hence: for Herod would fain kill thee. 13:32And he said unto them, Go and say to that fox, Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I am perfected. 13:33Nevertheless I must go on my way to-day and to-morrow and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. 13:34O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killeth the prophets, and stoneth them that are sent unto her! how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her own brood under her wings, and ye would not!13:35Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
April 26, 1942: Luke 13:22-35
Was the “way” that Jesus followed merely the route leading to Jerusalem, or did the word have a deeper meaning? His way was the way of perfection, of teaching others to live in harmony with the law of life and of so living Himself. Perfect expression leads to peace (Jerusalem).
What is the “narrow door” that everyone should “strive to enter”? This is the Christ consciousness. To enter by it requires complete absorption in and devotion to Truth. The “door” is called narrow, because it admits none whose powers are scattered.
Has the narrow door another meaning, in an individual sense? It represents also the individual’s faithful will to apply all the understanding of Truth that he has to the working out of his life’s purpose.
How may the door to the kingdom of heaven be shut against us? If we are so steeped in sense consciousness as to be unaware of the spiritual life, we shut the door against our own entrance. The door opens as we come to realize and seek to express our divine nature.
Why is it that “eating and drinking together” or listening to the teaching of Truth does not create a common bond between those in the Christ consciousness and those in sense consciousness? Because there is no common ground between the two states. “The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Listening to the teaching, where there is no real interest is a perfunctory act.
In what respect does the kingdom of heaven differ from the kingdoms of the world? In worldly kingdoms good and evil are commingled, but in the kingdom of heaven there is only the good. The separation of good from evil takes place before the kingdom can be entered. “Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”
What qualities give one a sure place in the kingdom? Faith, joy, and understanding (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) as well as spiritual vision (the prophets).
Who are meant by “there are last who shall be first, and there are first who shall be last”? Those who rank last in importance in the material world may be first in the world of spiritual values, and vice versa. Also the qualities that are considered outstanding in the business or the social world may count for little in the inner world of character.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 01-20-2014
