This statement by Jesus is a prophetic warning to His disciples and all believers that a time would come when persecution—even murder—would be carried out against Christians by people who genuinely believe they are doing God’s will. This speaks to religiously motivated persecution, where attackers are convinced their actions are acts of worship or obedience to God. In John 16:1–2 (ESV), Jesus says: “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.” Jesus foresaw a future where hostility toward true followers of Christ would come not only from political or pagan sources but from within the religious community itself. This kind of persecution is especially dangerous because it is wrapped in the cloak of religious zeal and backed by misinterpretations of Scripture. 1. Biblical Examples of This Persecution a) Jesus Himself Jesus was crucified primarily at the instigation of the religious leaders—the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees—who believed He was violating the Law of Moses. For example, they accused Him of breaking the Sabbath by healing (John 5:16-18) and of blasphemy for claiming equality with God (John 10:33). They justified His death using Scriptures like Exodus 31:15 (ESV): “Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death.” So, when Jesus healed on the Sabbath, they interpreted it as breaking the law deserving of death. In their view, killing Jesus was obedience to God’s command, though in reality, they were opposing God’s own Son. b) Stephen the Martyr Stephen, one of the early church’s leaders, was stoned to death by religious Jews who falsely accused him of blasphemy. Acts 6:13–14 (ESV) says: “They set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.’” The law in Leviticus 24:16 (ESV) declared: “Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him.” Those who killed Stephen believed they were upholding God’s law. Again, in their minds, his execution was a religious duty. c) The Apostle Paul’s Past Before his conversion, Paul (then Saul) was a prime example of this mindset: “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” – Acts 26:9 (ESV) He persecuted Christians, even unto death, thinking he was honoring God (Philippians 3:6). 2. Religious Persecution Continues Today Jesus’ warning did not apply only to the early church. This kind of persecution continues throughout history and into the present day. Often, opposition against true believers still comes from religious institutions or individuals who believe they are acting on behalf of God. For example: A preacher shares the Gospel in public, and the first to report him might be another church leader claiming he lacks a permit—justifying it using Romans 13:1, which speaks about obeying governing authorities. Someone might feel justified in silencing true Gospel preaching by appealing to order, tradition, or law, believing they’re “protecting God’s reputation.” What they may not realize is that the Holy Spirit might be using that very moment to convict a soul. Resisting such Gospel work is not service to God but resistance against Him. 3. Final Encouragement and Caution Jesus said: “And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.” – Matthew 10:36 (ESV) Persecution doesn’t always come from far away—it often starts close to home, including within the religious community. This was true for Jesus, His apostles, and it remains true for Christians today. Therefore, believers are urged to stay vigilant and discerning, not assuming that all religious action is godly. We must evaluate all things through the lens of Scripture, led by the Holy Spirit. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father…” – Matthew 7:21 (ESV) Conclusion Jesus’ prophecy in John 16:2 is a sobering reminder that: Not all persecution comes from obvious enemies—some come from those claiming to serve God. Religious zeal without truth leads to destruction. True followers of Christ must be ready to suffer, sometimes even at the hands of the religious, just as Christ did. May God give us grace to discern and the courage to stand firm, even when opposed by those who believe they are doing right.
Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Welcome as we reflect on the words of life, which are the true nourishment for our souls. Today, let us consider an important truth about how Satan operates when he gains access to a person. In the Bible, Judas Iscariot is the first individual clearly recorded as being entered by Satan: Luke 22:3–4“Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.” As soon as Satan entered Judas, he implanted a new heart within him—a heart of betrayal that Judas himself did not naturally possess. This evil heart overpowered all love, loyalty, and reason. John 13:1–2“…having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.” When Satan plants such a heart in a person, all natural affection disappears. One no longer cares if the victim is a brother, mother, friend, or even an innocent person. That heart only seeks to betray, destroy, and kill (John 10:10). It is no longer the person’s original heart at work but the rebellious heart of Satan himself. This is what happened to Judas. Even though Jesus loved him deeply—trusting him with the group’s finances and sharing intimate fellowship with him—Judas still turned against Him, betraying Him with a kiss (Luke 22:47–48). The psalmist foresaw this: Psalm 41:9“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” Later, when Satan left Judas, remorse filled his soul, and he ended up taking his own life (Matthew 27:3–5). This shows that the evil heart was not truly his own; it was implanted by the devil for a season. Similarly, in the last days, the Antichrist will be empowered by the same satanic heart, carrying out mass slaughter against all who refuse the mark of the beast: Revelation 16:13–14“Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.” Even today, we see acts of unspeakable cruelty—mass killings, human sacrifices, and betrayals of loved ones. These are not simply human decisions; they are the result of people who have opened doors for Satan, allowing him to implant foreign, unfeeling hearts within them. And just like Judas, many of these people are eventually left in deep regret when Satan abandons them. This also explains why sexual sin can reach shocking extremes—adultery, fornication, bestiality, and same-sex immorality. When the devil implants his heart in a person, they lose all sense of shame or fear of God (Romans 1:24–28). In the end, such sins only lead to ruin and bitter regret. Remember: Judas was personally chosen by Jesus to be one of the Twelve apostles, yet he fell because of a seemingly “small” sin—stealing from the money bag (John 12:6). This should teach us that even “little sins” can give Satan a foothold (Ephesians 4:27), leading to greater destruction. Let us take this as a warning. Salvation is not a casual thing; we must mean it with all our hearts. The enemy cannot be resisted by our own strength once we have given him a place in our lives. But if we truly abide in Christ and walk in His Spirit, we will overcome (James 4:7; Galatians 5:16). Have you given your life to Jesus? Has He washed away your sins by His precious blood (1 John 1:7)? If not, what are you waiting for? We are living in the last days, and Satan knows his time is short: Revelation 12:12“…But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” This is the hour to wake up from spiritual sleep (Romans 13:11–12), repent wholeheartedly, and turn to Christ. Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38), and He will fill you with His Holy Spirit—the One who will guard and guide you into all truth (John 16:13). May the Lord strengthen us all on this journey of salvation.
Question: What did Jesus mean when He said, “For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” (Luke 23:31)
Answer: The statement Jesus makes in Luke 23:31, “For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” holds deep theological meaning and connects to several important themes in Scripture. Context and Interpretation In Luke 23:31, Jesus says this to the women who were mourning for Him as He was being led to the cross. He makes a powerful analogy comparing Himself to a green tree and the people to dry trees. The full verse reads: “For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?” (Luke 23:31, KJV) The “green wood” symbolizes Jesus, who is innocent, full of life, and untainted by sin. Despite His righteousness, He was about to suffer cruelly at the hands of sinful people. The “dry wood” represents those who are unrepentant, spiritually barren, and distant from God. Jesus is implying that if the world does this to Him, the perfect and righteous one, then what can be expected for those who are far from God, the spiritually dry? Jesus as the “Green Tree” In Scripture, trees are often used as symbols of spiritual life. In John 15:1-8, Jesus describes Himself as the true vine: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:1-2, KJV) Here, Jesus is the source of life and nourishment for His followers, just as the vine provides sustenance to its branches. He calls Himself the “green tree” because He embodies righteousness, healing, and eternal life, and He produces spiritual fruit in those who abide in Him. Additionally, in Revelation 22:2, Jesus is depicted as the “Tree of Life” in the New Jerusalem: “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2, KJV) The tree of life in Revelation represents eternal life and healing, further emphasizing Jesus’ role as the source of spiritual life for humanity. Dry Trees and Spiritual Barrenness The dry tree in Luke 23:31 is a symbol of spiritual barrenness and judgment. In Matthew 7:19, Jesus teaches: “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19, KJV) This is a warning about the consequences of not abiding in Christ. Just as dry trees are worthless and destined to be burned, those who reject Christ and live in sin face the ultimate consequence of separation from God, which is spiritual death and eternal judgment (see Revelation 20:15). Jesus uses this metaphor to warn His followers that if they persecute Him, who is the green tree, they will surely persecute them too, as His followers will also be opposed by the world. This is in line with His teachings in John 15:18-21: “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” (John 15:18-19, KJV) The world’s hatred of Jesus extends to His followers. This persecution and rejection are a mark of their identification with Him. As Jesus was rejected, so too will His followers be rejected. This is the nature of living in a world that is spiritually dry, far from God, and hostile to the truth of the gospel. Theological Significance Christ’s Innocence and Suffering: Jesus, the green tree, represents innocence, holiness, and life. Despite His purity, He was condemned to die. This illustrates the great injustice of the crucifixion and foreshadows the suffering of the righteous in a world that does not recognize God’s truth. The Persecution of Believers: The dry trees, those who do not bear fruit, symbolize the fate of those who reject Christ. Jesus warns that if they treated the innocent and righteous Jesus with such cruelty, how much worse will it be for those who reject the gospel? Persecution is an inevitable part of the Christian experience because the world has rejected Jesus. Spiritual Life and Fruitfulness: The green tree points to Jesus as the source of life. In John 15:5, Jesus declares: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5, KJV) Jesus is the life-giving source to His followers, and they are called to bear fruit that reflects His character. Those who remain in Him will produce spiritual fruit, such as love, joy, peace, and righteousness (Galatians 5:22-23). Persevering Through Trials: Jesus’ suffering was not only a moment of atonement but also a model for His followers. Just as Jesus faced rejection and suffering, His followers will face similar challenges. But these trials are not signs of God’s displeasure, but of identification with Christ (Romans 8:17). Conclusion In Luke 23:31, Jesus’ reference to the “green wood” and “dry wood” is a profound theological statement about His innocence, the world’s rejection of Him, and the persecution believers will face. By calling Himself the green tree, Jesus underscores His role as the source of life and righteousness. The dry trees represent those who reject Him, destined for judgment. This passage teaches that Christians will face suffering for their faith, just as Jesus did, but it also reminds us that our suffering is a part of God’s redemptive plan, aligning us with Christ’s own experience. As Jesus said, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20, KJV). May we take comfort in knowing that our trials, like Christ’s, are not in vain, and we are called to bear fruit in Him, standing firm in the faith, even in the face of opposition.