Luke 23:31

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

American Standard Version (1901)

For if they do these things in the green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

Bible in Basic English

For if they do these things when the tree is green, what will they do when it is dry?

Douay-Rheims 1899

For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?

Free Bible Version

For if they do this to wood that is green, what will happen when it's dried out?”

Geneva Bible 1599

For if they doe these things to a greene tree, what shalbe done to the drie?

King James (Authorized) Version

For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

One Unity Resource Bible

For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”

Translation for Translators

I am innocent [MET]. I am like a living tree that people do not try to burn. But the people of Jerusalem deserve that their enemies punish them. They are like dry wood that is ready to burn. So if they nail me to the cross, ◄their enemies will certainly do much worse things to them!/what worse things will happen to them?► [RHQ]”

Unlocked Literal Bible

For if they do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Noah Webster Bible

For if they do these things in a green tree, what will be done in the dry?

World English Bible

For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”

Young's Literal Translation

for, if in the green tree they do these things — in the dry what may happen?'

Context

The Crucifixion

³⁰At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’³¹For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Sermons

Satan and His Work 03

Welcome Detweiler

1.2K

If They Do These Things in a Green Tree

C.H. Spurgeon

Summary

In this verse, Jesus speaks to the women who are mourning for Him on the way to the cross, telling them not to weep for Him but for themselves and their children. He is alluding to the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering that will come upon the people as a result of their rejection of Him. Jesus' words serve as a warning of the consequences of rejecting Him as the Messiah and the importance of repentance and faith in Him for salvation. It also reflects His compassion even in the midst of His own suffering, showing His concern for the spiritual well-being of others.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

If they do these things in a green tree - This seems to be a proverbial expression, the sense of which is: If they spare not a tree which, by the beauty of its foliage, abundance and excellence of its fruits, deserves to be preserved, then the tree which is dry and withered will surely be cut down. If an innocent man be put to death in the very face of justice, in opposition to all its dictates and decisions, by a people who profess to be governed and directed by Divine laws, what desolation, injustice, and oppression may not be expected, when anarchy and confusion sit in the place where judgment and justice formerly presided? Our Lord alludes prophetically to those tribulations which fell upon the Jewish people about forty years after. See the notes on Matthew 24:1-51 (note).

Luke 23:31

The Crucifixion

³⁰At that time ‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’³¹For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”